Shloka 55
The Tale of the Five Pretas and the Glory of Puṣkara & the Eastern Sarasvatī
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन सतां संभाषणं कुरु । यदि ते श्रेयसा कार्यं गंगासुत अतंद्रितः
tasmātsarvaprayatnena satāṃ saṃbhāṣaṇaṃ kuru | yadi te śreyasā kāryaṃ gaṃgāsuta ataṃdritaḥ
پس ہر طرح کی کوشش سے نیکوں کی صحبت اور گفتگو اختیار کرو۔ اگر تم اعلیٰ ترین بھلائی چاہتے ہو، اے گنگا کے فرزند، تو ہمیشہ بیدار اور بےکاہل رہو۔
Unspecified (addressing 'Gaṅgā-suta')
Concept: Sat-saṃbhāṣaṇa (conversation/association with the virtuous) is a deliberate practice requiring effort and wakefulness; it is a direct means to śreyas (highest welfare).
Application: Curate daily inputs: spend time with ethically grounded people, read/recite with devotees, reduce gossip, and keep a steady routine of listening to dharma-discourse.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On a quiet riverbank of the Gaṅgā, an elder teacher gestures firmly while a youthful ‘Gaṅgā-suta’ listens with folded hands. The scene emphasizes disciplined companionship: a circle of serene sādhus sits nearby, their presence forming a protective mandala against the distractions of the world.","primary_figures":["teacher/narrator","Gaṅgā-suta (disciple)","virtuous sages (sādhus)"],"setting":"Gaṅgā riverbank with steps (ghāṭa), banyan tree shade, simple ascetic huts in the distance.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["river jade green","saffron","sandstone beige","pearl white","sunrise gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a guru-like figure instructing a young disciple on a ghāṭa; Gaṅgā rendered as stylized waves with gold-leaf highlights; sages seated in a semicircle; rich red-green textiles, ornate halos, embossed gold for sacred emphasis, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical riverside with delicate foliage; the teacher’s raised hand in gentle admonition; cool blues and soft greens, refined faces, minimal gold; distant temple spire across the river, calm morning atmosphere.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, warm earthy pigments; the Gaṅgā as patterned bands; large-eyed figures, strong hand gestures; red/yellow/green dominance, temple-wall aesthetic conveying moral instruction.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative border of lotus and tulasi-like foliage; central satsang circle by the river; peacocks and cows at margins; deep blue river with gold ripples; emphasis on devotional community as ornamented pattern."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","morning birds","soft temple bell","tanpura drone","distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन = तस्मात् + सर्वप्रयत्नेन; गंगासुत = गङ्गासुत (अनुस्वार/वर्तनीभेद).
FAQs
It urges persistent association and discourse with the virtuous (satām), stating that such company supports śreyas—one’s true and lasting good.
While not naming a deity here, it highlights a classic spiritual principle: progress is nourished by sādhu-saṅga (company of the good), which is foundational in many Bhakti traditions.
It teaches diligence and non-negligence (ataṃdritaḥ) in seeking the good, emphasizing that moral and spiritual uplift depends on deliberate choices of companionship and counsel.