Shloka 102
The Origin of the Daṇḍaka Forest and Rāma’s Dharma-Judgment
Vulture vs. Owl
यथाप्राप्तं न ब्रुवते सर्वे तेऽनृतवादिनः । न वक्ति च श्रुतं यश्च कामात्क्रोधात्तथा भयात्
yathāprāptaṃ na bruvate sarve te'nṛtavādinaḥ | na vakti ca śrutaṃ yaśca kāmātkrodhāttathā bhayāt
جو لوگ بات کو جیسا ہے ویسا نہیں کہتے وہ سب جھوٹ کے قائل ہیں؛ اور جو سنی ہوئی بات کو خواہش، غضب یا خوف کے سبب بیان نہیں کرتا، وہ بھی جھوٹ ہی میں پڑتا ہے۔
Unspecified (narrative/ethical instruction within the chapter context)
Concept: Satya (truthful speech) is violated not only by lying but also by suppressing known/heard truth due to kāma, krodha, or bhaya.
Application: Practice ‘truth with steadiness’: pause before speaking, notice desire/anger/fear as motives, and choose accurate, non-manipulative words; keep a daily satya-vrata journal of speech slips.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A quiet royal sabhā where a sage-like counselor raises a palm in instruction, while courtiers hold their tongues, visibly wrestling with desire, anger, and fear as shadowy personifications behind them. In the center, a luminous thread of ‘satya’ runs from the speaker’s mouth to a balanced scale, symbolizing speech aligned with order.","primary_figures":["royal counselor (ṛṣi-like minister)","courtiers","personifications of Kāma, Krodha, Bhaya (subtle shadow-forms)"],"setting":"ancient palace assembly hall with carved pillars, palm-leaf manuscripts, and a dharma-scale motif","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","smoky indigo","lamp-flame gold","deep maroon","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a palace sabhā with a sage-minister teaching satya-dharma, gold leaf halos around the counselor and a stylized dharma-scale, rich reds and greens, ornate pillars, gem-studded ornaments on courtiers, subtle shadow-figures of Kāma Krodha Bhaya behind them, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate court scene with refined faces, a counselor gesturing toward a small golden scale of truth, cool indigo shadows suggesting desire/anger/fear, lyrical architectural details, soft gradients, minimal but expressive background, Himalayan-style finesse.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, warm red-yellow-green palette, counselor with large expressive eyes teaching satya, stylized palace pillars, symbolic scale and speech-scroll, shadowy Kāma-Krodha-Bhaya forms rendered as muted secondary figures, temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic satya theme with lotus borders and floral vines, central speech-scroll forming a garland, attendants in devotional posture, deep blues and gold, intricate border work; integrate subtle Viṣṇu-associated motifs (śaṅkha-chakra patterns) to imply dharma pleasing to Hari."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","low drone (tanpura)","silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यथा+प्राप्तम्→यथाप्राप्तम्; ते+अनृतवादिनः→तेऽनृतवादिनः; कामात्+क्रोधात्→कामात्क्रोधात्
FAQs
It teaches satya (truthfulness): one should speak things as they are and honestly report what one has heard; withholding truth due to desire, anger, or fear is treated as falsehood.
Yes. The verse frames not speaking what is known/heard—when motivated by desire, anger, or fear—as a form of anṛta (untruth), not merely neutral silence.
It advises truthful communication and integrity in testimony or reporting, avoiding distortion or suppression of facts for personal gain, retaliation, or intimidation.