Shloka 53
The Supremacy of Food-Charity and the Rāma–Śambūka Episode
Child Revived through Rājadharma
पुरे वा राजशार्दूल कुरुते दुर्मतिर्नरः । क्षिप्रं स नरकं याति यावदाभूतसंप्लवम्
pure vā rājaśārdūla kurute durmatirnaraḥ | kṣipraṃ sa narakaṃ yāti yāvadābhūtasaṃplavam
اے راجاؤں کے شیر، جو بد نیت آدمی شہر میں ایسا عمل کرتا ہے وہ فوراً نرک میں جاتا ہے اور مہاپرلَے (کائناتی فنا) تک وہیں پڑا رہتا ہے۔
Unspecified (verse addresses a king as 'rājaśārdūla')
Concept: Public wrongdoing driven by wicked intent leads swiftly to naraka, with punishment extending up to cosmic dissolution—emphasizing the gravity of adharma.
Application: Guard intention (saṅkalpa) as well as action; avoid normalizing wrongdoing in public institutions; cultivate accountability and transparent ethics.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A bustling ancient city street freezes as a shadow of sin spreads across its stones; the wrongdoer, eyes narrowed with malice, is seized by unseen forces. Above, the sky opens into a terrifying vista of time—kalpas rolling like storm clouds—suggesting punishment lasting until pralaya.","primary_figures":["Wicked-intent man (durmati)","Yamadūtas (partially visible)","Terrified townspeople (as witnesses)"],"setting":"Ancient city avenue with market stalls, palace walls in the distance, and a supernatural rift revealing cosmic time","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["midnight blue","storm violet","ember orange","stone gray","pale cyan"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: city scene with ornate architecture; gold leaf highlights on palace edges and cosmic rift; yamadūtas emerging from shadow; dramatic flames in the rift; rich reds/greens in garments, heavy jewelry, and a strong moral focal point on the sinner’s face.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: detailed cityscape with fine lines; subdued crowd reactions; the cosmic rift painted as a delicate swirling mandala of time; cool palette with selective warm accents; emphasis on narrative clarity and psychological dread.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; stylized city gate; yamadūtas in dynamic posture; swirling pralaya clouds above; saturated reds and yellows against deep blue; expressive eyes and clear storytelling panels.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: city rendered as patterned architecture; border of lotus motifs turning into darkened buds; cosmic dissolution shown as a circular mandala overhead; deep indigo cloth with gold and orange highlights, intricate floral borders framing the warning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["city murmur fading to silence","conch blast","heavy drum","wind gust"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दुर्मतिर्नरः = दुर्मतिः नरः; भवेत्तत्तथा (elsewhere) not in this verse. यावदाभूतसंप्लवम् = यावत् आभूतसंप्लवम् (यावत् + आ...).
FAQs
It teaches that deliberate wrongdoing (durmati) brings severe karmic consequences—swift descent to naraka—emphasizing personal responsibility and moral restraint.
It indicates an extremely long duration—punishment lasting until a cosmic dissolution (pralaya) associated with the reabsorption or upheaval of the elements.
It is a respectful epithet meaning “tiger among kings,” used to address a ruler and underscore that even those in power must uphold dharma.