Shloka 24
The Glory of Lamp-Donation
in Kārttika
विष्णुभक्तोऽप्यसौ मूढा व्यर्थं तु बंधनं कृतम् । गच्छध्वं शमनप्रेष्या यदि वांछास्ति जीवितुम्
viṣṇubhakto'pyasau mūḍhā vyarthaṃ tu baṃdhanaṃ kṛtam | gacchadhvaṃ śamanapreṣyā yadi vāṃchāsti jīvitum
یہ وشنو کا بھکت ہے؛ اے نادانو، اسے باندھنا سراسر بے کار ہوا۔ اے یم کے بھیجے ہوؤ، اگر جینا چاہتے ہو تو واپس چلے جاؤ۔
Unspecified (a commanding voice addressing Yama’s messengers/servants within the narrative context)
Concept: A Viṣṇu-bhakta is not to be forcibly bound by Yamadūtas; devotion establishes a higher dharmic claim.
Application: Live as a ‘Viṣṇu-bhakta’ in conduct, not label—truthfulness, compassion, and regular worship; let devotion reform habits so fear of punishment is replaced by love and accountability.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Viṣṇudūta steps forward like a pillar of flame, eyes steady, voice thunderous without shouting. Yamadūtas—once terrifying—shrink back, their ropes slack, as the command declares the binding futile and warns them to flee for their lives.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇudūtas (commanding)","Yamadūtas (recoiling)","the devotee (protected)"],"setting":"An astral tribunal space with dark banners and iron-like implements dissolving at the edge of a bright protective aura.","lighting_mood":"storm-lit divine radiance","color_palette":["electric gold","obsidian black","steel gray","royal blue","blood red"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dominant Viṣṇudūta in front-facing stance with gold-leaf halo, raised hand in commanding gesture; Yamadūtas at the sides with frightened expressions; ornate weapon details; rich maroon-green background with embossed gold borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: dramatic yet refined confrontation; the Viṣṇudūta calm and luminous, Yamadūtas rendered smaller and darker; subtle cloud bands and a pale aura ring; expressive but delicate faces and gestures.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold, iconic admonition scene; Viṣṇudūta with large eyes and bright yellow aura, hand in tarjani-mudrā; Yamadūtas in earthy tones stepping back; strong compositional symmetry and temple-wall palette.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central luminous figure with ornate borders; stylized ropes curling away like vines; deep blue ground with gold floral motifs; the devotee sheltered within a lotus-like aura pattern."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["thunder roll (soft)","conch blast","sharp bell strike","sudden hush"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: viṣṇubhakto'pyasau → viṣṇubhaktaḥ + api + asau; vāṃchāsti → vāṃchā + asti.
FAQs
It asserts the protective power of Viṣṇu-bhakti: Yama’s messengers are warned that binding a devotee is futile and dangerous for them.
They are the servants/messengers of Śamana—another name for Yama, the lord of death and judge of deeds—often depicted as enforcing karmic consequences.
It emphasizes reverence toward the truly devoted and cautions against unjust or ignorant harm; spiritually, it teaches that sincere devotion carries a safeguarding grace beyond ordinary fear.