Shloka 42
The Episode of Cyavana
Cyavana’s Hermitage and the Power of Tapas
मयानृतं वचोभीत्या कथितं न गुरुद्रुहा । तस्मान्ममोपरि कृपां कुरु धर्मशिरोमणे
mayānṛtaṃ vacobhītyā kathitaṃ na gurudruhā | tasmānmamopari kṛpāṃ kuru dharmaśiromaṇe
خوف کے باعث میں نے جھوٹے الفاظ کہہ دیے؛ میں گروہ کا غدار نہیں ہوں۔ پس اے دین کے تاجدار، مجھ پر رحم فرمائیے۔
Unspecified petitioner (a fearful speaker seeking pardon) addressing a righteous authority figure
Concept: Fear can drive false speech, but confession and reaffirmation of guru-loyalty invite compassionate adjudication.
Application: If you lied out of fear, correct it quickly; protect trust with teachers/mentors and seek forgiveness with humility rather than self-justification.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A trembling petitioner kneels with folded hands before a radiant ‘dharma-śiromaṇi’ figure seated like a judge-sage, the air calm after the storm of anger. The petitioner’s face shows fear dissolving into honesty, while the authority’s expression softens, suggesting mercy that follows truth.","primary_figures":["fearful petitioner (likely Agni or an intermediary)","righteous authority figure (sage/master)"],"setting":"Hermitage tribunal space: a low seat (āsana) for the sage, sacred texts on a stand, a small fire altar nearby, and quiet disciples observing at a distance.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm amber","sandalwood tan","deep maroon","olive green","ivory"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the petitioner confessing with folded hands before a serene dharma-judge sage, gold leaf halo and ornate arch framing the sage, rich maroon/green textiles, gem-like detailing on manuscript stand and ritual vessels, emphasis on compassionate gaze.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate confession scene with delicate expressions, soft lamplight glow, refined linework on manuscripts and kusa mats, muted earth tones with gentle highlights, tranquil forest backdrop beyond the hermitage.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized seated sage with calm authoritative eyes, petitioner in humble posture, traditional pigment palette, decorative borders with floral motifs, temple-wall compositional balance emphasizing dharma and mercy.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central seated dharma-figure with ornate lotus border, petitioner at the feet in añjali, deep blue or maroon ground with gold highlights; incorporate subtle script-like patterns and floral vines to evoke sacred law and compassion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft silence","single bell at phrase ends","gentle tanpura drone","distant flowing water (imagined)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वचोभीत्या = वचः + भीत्या; तस्मान्ममोपरि = तस्मात् + मम + उपरि; धर्मशिरोमणे = धर्म + शिरोमणे (समास).
FAQs
It treats lying as a moral fault, yet distinguishes a fear-driven lapse from deliberate betrayal, and encourages confession and seeking mercy from the righteous.
“Gurudruhā” means one who harms or betrays the guru; the speaker insists their false speech was not an act of guru-treachery but a fear-born mistake.
It is an honorific meaning “crest-jewel of dharma,” implying the listener is exceptionally righteous and thus capable of granting compassionate judgment.