Shloka 14
Instruction to the Brahmin
The Greatness of Piṇḍa and Prasāda on Mount Nīla
स्वकांत्यातिमिरश्रेणीं दारयद्रविवद्भृशम् । दृष्ट्वा विस्मयमापेदे किमिदं कस्य वै गृहम्
svakāṃtyātimiraśreṇīṃ dārayadravivadbhṛśam | dṛṣṭvā vismayamāpede kimidaṃ kasya vai gṛham
اپنی ہی روشنی سے وہ سورج کی مانند زور سے تاریکی کی صفوں کو چیر دیتا تھا؛ یہ دیکھ کر میں حیرت میں پڑ گیا: “یہ کیا ہے—اور یہ کس کا گھر ہے؟”
Unspecified (a male observer within the narrative)
Concept: Divine radiance dispels inner darkness; wonder matures into inquiry, and inquiry becomes the first step toward right knowledge and devotion.
Application: When confronted with something spiritually moving, pause and ask sincere questions rather than rushing to conclusions; treat curiosity as a form of reverence.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A corridor of shadow around the mountain shrine is suddenly cleaved by a surge of golden brilliance, as if a miniature sun has risen within the temple walls. The observer shields his eyes, face softened by astonishment, while the question ‘Whose house is this?’ hangs in the air like a mantra.","primary_figures":["Awe-struck male observer","Temple façade with radiant aura"],"setting":"Temple threshold with deep shadows, carved doorway, and a luminous interior glow spilling outward.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sun-gold","shadow indigo","burnished bronze","ivory","crimson accent"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic temple doorway emitting intense gold leaf radiance that pushes back indigo shadows; the observer in traditional attire with expressive astonished eyes, ornate architectural details, embossed gold highlights and jewel tones.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: subtle chiaroscuro at a mountain temple threshold, a soft yet powerful beam of light cutting through dusk-like shadows; delicate facial expression of wonder, cool blues contrasted with warm gold wash.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined doorway with stylized radiance bands, strong contrast of dark background and yellow-gold light; observer in profile with characteristic large eyes, red/yellow/green palette anchored by black outlines.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a symbolic ‘light bursting from shrine’ composition with ornate borders, lotus and flame motifs, deep blue ground and gold highlights; the observer rendered as a small figure before a grand radiant sanctum."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["single temple bell strike","soft conch swell","wind hush","low drone","brief silence after the question"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वकांत्यातिमिरश्रेणीं → स्वकान्त्या + तिमिरश्रेणीम्; दारयद्रविवद्भृशम् → दारयत् + रविवत् + भृशम्; विस्मयमापेदे → विस्मयम् + आपेदे; किमिदं → किम् + इदम्.
FAQs
The verse compares a being’s radiance to the sun, emphasizing how it pierces and disperses dense darkness.
No. It ends with a question—“What is this, and whose house is it?”—indicating the speaker’s astonishment without naming the owner here.
It commonly gestures toward revelation and clarity: inner or divine brilliance dispelling ignorance, fear, or concealment—though this verse itself stays at the level of narrative wonder.