Shloka 137
The Origin of the Daṇḍaka Forest and Rāma’s Dharma-Judgment
Vulture vs. Owl
आपृच्छे साधये ब्रह्मन्ननुज्ञातुं त्वमर्हसि । धन्योस्म्यनुगृहीतोस्मि दर्शनेन महामुने
āpṛcche sādhaye brahmannanujñātuṃ tvamarhasi | dhanyosmyanugṛhītosmi darśanena mahāmune
میں رخصت چاہتا ہوں، اے مقدّس برہمن؛ آپ مجھے روانگی کی اجازت عطا فرمائیں۔ اے مہامنی، آپ کے دیدار سے میں مبارک اور آپ کی عنایت کا مستحق ہوا۔
An unnamed respectful visitor/disciple (speaker not specified in the provided verse)
Concept: Humility and gratitude before a realized sage; seeking permission (anujñā) honors dharmic etiquette and preserves the sanctity of learning.
Application: End spiritual conversations with gratitude; ask leave respectfully from elders/teachers; treat holy encounters as transformative rather than transactional.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A forest hermitage at the edge of a lotus-filled pond: a respectful disciple stands with folded hands, head slightly bowed, requesting leave from a serene mahāmuni seated on kuśa grass. The air feels washed with mantra-silence, as if the very act of darśana has sanctified the departing traveler.","primary_figures":["mahāmuni (tapo-dhana sage)","respectful visitor/disciple"],"setting":"quiet āśrama with thatched hut, sacrificial fire, tulasi pot near the doorway, deer and peacocks at a distance","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","forest green","lotus pink","smoke gray","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a seated mahāmuni with radiant halo and gold-leaf aura, right hand raised in anujñā-mudrā, disciple in añjali at his feet; rich vermilion and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments on ritual vessels, stylized tulasi in a brass pot, ornate arch framing the hermitage scene with gold leaf embellishment.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate forest hermitage with fine-line foliage, a calm sage on a woven mat, disciple bowing with folded hands; cool greens and muted earth tones, lyrical pond with lotus blooms, distant hills, refined facial features and gentle narrative intimacy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, warm ochres and greens; sage with elongated eyes and composed expression, disciple in añjali; temple-wall aesthetic with a small homa-kuṇḍa, stylized lotus pond and tulasi pot, flat yet majestic composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional border of lotus and creepers; central vignette of a sage granting leave, with abundant lotus motifs and peacocks; deep indigo background with gold detailing, intricate floral borders, sanctified calm atmosphere."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["forest birds","gentle wind in leaves","soft temple bell in distance","crackling sacrificial fire","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ब्रह्मन् + अनुज्ञातुम् → ब्रह्मन्ननुज्ञातुम्; त्वम् + अर्हसि → त्वमर्हसि; धन्यः + अस्मि → धन्योस्मि; अनुगृहीतः + अस्मि → अनुगृहीतोस्मि
FAQs
It expresses traditional etiquette: respectfully taking leave of a revered sage, requesting permission to depart, and acknowledging the spiritual blessing gained through the sage’s darśana.
Darśana is treated as a vehicle of grace (anugraha). Merely seeing/meeting the saintly person is presented as spiritually fruitful and worthy of gratitude.
Humility and reverence: one should not depart abruptly, but seek consent from elders/teachers and recognize the benefit received from their presence and guidance.