Shloka 18
Instruction on All Dharma
in the context of Rāma’s Aśvamedha
एवं पश्यन्मुनिः सर्वान्कौतुकाविष्टमानसः । ययावन्यत्र तान्द्रष्टुं यागयोग्यान्हयान्मुनिः
evaṃ paśyanmuniḥ sarvānkautukāviṣṭamānasaḥ | yayāvanyatra tāndraṣṭuṃ yāgayogyānhayānmuniḥ
یوں سب کو دیکھتے ہوئے، تجسس میں ڈوبا ہوا وہ مُنی دوسرے مقام کی طرف گیا، تاکہ یَجْن کے لائق گھوڑوں کو بھی دیکھ سکے۔
Narrator (third-person narration within the Purāṇic dialogue context)
Concept: Curiosity becomes spiritually fruitful when guided toward dharmic ends—seeking what is ‘yajña-yogya’ rather than mere spectacle.
Application: Let fascination lead to learning and right practice; ask ‘Is this useful for service, duty, and uplift?’
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: netherworld
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage, robes trailing, walks through branching corridors of the netherworld stable complex, pausing to examine each enclosure. His eyes are bright with inquisitiveness, yet his posture is purposeful—he seeks the horses fit for sacrifice, not merely the most dazzling.","primary_figures":["muni (sage)","stable guardians/attendants","distant horses in pens"],"setting":"labyrinthine Pātāla passageways with gated enclosures, incense smoke, and gem-lit thresholds","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["smoky quartz","lamp-gold","deep teal","sandalwood beige","iron gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sage in the center walking toward a gated enclosure labeled by auspicious motifs; gold leaf highlights on doorframes and lamps, rich red-green architectural borders, stylized horses glimpsed behind latticework, devotional compositional symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: narrative corridor scene with multiple doorways receding in perspective; the sage mid-step, delicate facial expression of curiosity; soft washes, cool shadows, fine detailing on gates and horse silhouettes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold-lined sage with expressive eyes, rhythmic arches and gates; warm yellow lamps against deep green-blue walls; stylized horses behind patterned screens, temple-wall storytelling layout.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: processional movement of the sage across a patterned ground; ornate borders with lotus vines; repeated arch motifs like a mandala of doorways; horses as decorative clusters behind lattice, deep blue and gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["footsteps on stone","gate chains","soft bell tinkles","low ambient drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पश्यन्मुनिः = पश्यन् + मुनिः; सर्वान्कौतुकाविष्टमानसः = सर्वान् + कौतुकाविष्टमानसः; ययावन्यत्र = ययौ + अन्यत्र; तान्द्रष्टुम् = तान् + द्रष्टुम्; यागयोग्यान्हयान् = यागयोग्यान् + हयान्
FAQs
It signals that the scene is connected to yajña-ritual requirements, where animals (here, horses) are evaluated by prescribed qualities; the verse highlights the sage’s intent to verify ritual suitability.
The phrase “kautukāviṣṭa-mānasaḥ” emphasizes a mind seized by wonder/curiosity—an attentive, investigative disposition rather than mere travel.
It underscores careful discernment and due diligence: even in religious activity, one should examine and understand what is being done, rather than acting unreflectively.