Shloka 24
The Glory of Truthful Oaths and Keeping One’s Promise
Satya & Pratijñā
ब्राह्मण उवाच । कृत्वा शुभ क्षणं मह्यं देहि कन्यां शुभान्विताम् । विलंबे बहुविघ्नं स्यादिति शास्त्रेषु निश्चितम्
brāhmaṇa uvāca | kṛtvā śubha kṣaṇaṃ mahyaṃ dehi kanyāṃ śubhānvitām | vilaṃbe bahuvighnaṃ syāditi śāstreṣu niścitam
برہمن نے کہا: “میرے لیے ایک مبارک مُہورت مقرر کر کے، نیک اوصاف والی کنیا مجھے دے دو۔ کیونکہ شاستروں نے طے کیا ہے کہ تاخیر ہو تو بہت سی رکاوٹیں پیدا ہوتی ہیں۔”
Brāhmaṇa (a Brahmin suitor)
Concept: Śāstra-guided timing (śubha-kṣaṇa) safeguards dharmic acts; procrastination invites vighna (obstacles).
Application: Choose the right time and prepare well for important commitments; avoid delay in ethical duties and spiritual practices.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A brāhmaṇa, composed yet insistent, points toward a prepared almanac and ritual fire, urging the rite to proceed at the chosen auspicious moment. Attendants adjust garlands and lamps, while the sky shows a precise alignment—sun just at the right angle—suggesting the fragile window of śubha-kāla.","primary_figures":["brāhmaṇa (speaker)","Vīra-vikramaḥ (king)","attendants","maiden (veiled, in background)"],"setting":"Ritual courtyard with pañcāṅga (almanac) on a low stand, agni-kuṇḍa ready, garlands, lamps, and a canopy for the marriage rite.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["marigold orange","lamp-flame gold","white jasmine","scarlet","midnight blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: brāhmaṇa in pristine garments gesturing toward a pañcāṅga and glowing agni; the king attentive; gold leaf highlighting the fire, lamps, and auspicious symbols; rich reds/greens, ornate canopy, gem-studded ornaments, traditional South Indian iconographic framing of a dharmic moment.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate scene of a brāhmaṇa advising urgency, with a small painted pañcāṅga, refined textiles, and a dawn sky; lyrical courtyard plants and soft architecture; subtle tension conveyed through posture and gaze.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized dawn gradient; brāhmaṇa’s instructive gesture prominent; ritual objects simplified yet iconic; red/yellow/green palette with decorative borders of lotus and auspicious marks.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: auspicious-moment theme with ornate floral borders, lamps, and lotus motifs; deep blue background with gold highlights; central agni and pañcāṅga; peacocks and vines framing the urgency of śubha-kṣaṇa."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"authoritative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells (light)","fire crackle","murmured mantra undertone","birds at dawn","conch shell (very distant)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शुभान्विताम् = शुभ + अन्विताम्; स्यादिति = स्यात् + इति
FAQs
It presents selecting an auspicious moment as a śāstric practice and urges completing the marriage promptly once the muhūrta is fixed.
The verse states that delay (vilaṃba) can lead to many obstacles (bahu-vighna), a principle said to be established in the scriptures.
It emphasizes timely action aligned with dharma: once a rightful, auspicious arrangement is made, unnecessary postponement should be avoided to prevent complications.