Shloka 15
The Greatness of Viṣṇu’s Foot-Water (Pādodaka) as a Destroyer of Sin
शास्त्रनिंदाकरो नित्यं व्रतनिंदाकरः सदा । असावन्यं न जानाति केवलं स्वोदरं विना
śāstraniṃdākaro nityaṃ vrataniṃdākaraḥ sadā | asāvanyaṃ na jānāti kevalaṃ svodaraṃ vinā
وہ ہمیشہ شاستروں کی نِندا کرتا اور سدا ورتوں کا مذاق اڑاتا۔ ایسا شخص اپنے پیٹ کے سوا کچھ نہیں جانتا؛ کسی اور کو نہیں مانتا۔
Unspecified (context-dependent within Brahma-khaṇḍa narrative)
Concept: Disparaging śāstra and mocking vratas reduces a person to bodily appetite, severing dharmic vision.
Application: Avoid cynical ridicule of sacred practices; if you cannot follow a vow, honor it in others and keep speech disciplined.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stark moral tableau: the brāhmaṇa Sudarśana stands in a marketplace-like setting, pointing derisively at palm-leaf scriptures and a group of vow-keepers, while his own belly is emphasized as the visual center—hands clutching food, eyes narrowed in contempt. Behind him, the sacred texts appear luminous yet ignored, creating a sharp contrast between inner darkness and the radiance of dharma.","primary_figures":["Sudarśana (brāhmaṇa)","Vrata-observers (men and women)","Personified Śāstra as glowing manuscripts (symbolic)"],"setting":"Town square or courtyard near a small shrine; scriptures on a low wooden stand; vrata-keepers with water pots and prayer beads.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["charcoal black","burnt umber","lamp gold","palm-leaf tan","crimson"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Sudarśana in the foreground with exaggerated gesture of ridicule toward a scripture stand; gold leaf highlights on the manuscripts and shrine lamps; rich reds/greens in borders; expressive faces of vrata-keepers in añjali; ornate jewelry and traditional iconographic symmetry despite the moral tension.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined, slightly satirical scene—Sudarśana’s sharp profile and dismissive hand; delicate depiction of palm-leaf grantha bundles; cool muted palette with a warm lamp glow; subtle social grouping of vow-keepers with calm faces, emphasizing contrast.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines—Sudarśana’s eyes wide with arrogance, belly emphasized; scriptures rendered as radiant rectangles with stylized lotus motifs; red-yellow-green pigments; temple-wall composition with moral symbolism.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: an allegorical border of lotus and creepers framing a central vignette of ‘śāstra’ and ‘vrata’ honored by devotees; Sudarśana at one side in darker tones, food motifs near him; intricate floral borders, peacocks looking away, deep blue and gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["sharp cymbal taps","low drum pulse","murmured crowd","temple bell fading"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शास्त्रनिंदाकरो → शास्त्रनिंदाकरः; असावन्यं → असौ अन्यम्; स्वोदरं → स्व-उदरम् (समास)।
FAQs
It condemns habitual contempt for scripture and religious vows, portraying such behavior as a sign of selfishness—living only for one’s own appetite rather than for dharma or the welfare of others.
It is an idiom for extreme self-interest: a person motivated mainly by personal consumption and gain, lacking reverence, gratitude, or concern for others.
Across the Purana, dharma is upheld through śāstra-guided conduct and vrata; this verse warns that mocking these disciplines leads to moral blindness and a life centered on selfish desires.