Shloka 28
Narrative of the Śūdra’s Renunciation of Greed
with the Tulādhāra Greatness Prelude
अवकोटे नदीतीरे स्थितस्संस्थाप्य सादरम् । स दृष्ट्वा वस्त्रयुग्मं तन्न लोभे कुरते मनः
avakoṭe nadītīre sthitassaṃsthāpya sādaram | sa dṛṣṭvā vastrayugmaṃ tanna lobhe kurate manaḥ
اَوَکوٹا کے دریا کنارے ادب سے ٹھہر کر بیٹھا۔ اس نے کپڑوں کا ایک جوڑا دیکھا، مگر اس کا دل ان کی طرف لالچ سے نہ جھکا۔
Narrator (contextual speaker not explicit from the single verse)
Concept: Seeing an object of value does not necessitate desire; mastery is the mind’s refusal to turn toward greed.
Application: Practice ‘seeing without seizing’: pause before acting on desire, name the impulse, and let it pass; cultivate gratitude and contentment as antidotes to acquisitiveness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On the quiet bank of a river at Avakoṭa, an ascetic sits respectfully, posture straight, eyes lowered in calm. Nearby lies a pair of garments placed as bait; the river glides past, reflecting the sky, while the ascetic’s mind remains unmoved—still as the water’s deep current.","primary_figures":["austere devotee/ascetic","subtle presence of the tester (optional, hidden behind a tree)"],"setting":"riverbank with smooth stones, reeds, a small shrine-stone or tulasi-less simple altar, distant village silhouettes","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["river silver","midnight blue","stone gray","pale saffron","soft white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: riverbank scene with stylized waves and lotus-like ripples; ascetic seated in dignified calm, garments placed nearby; gold leaf highlights on the river’s reflections and the ascetic’s aura; ornate border in deep red and green, traditional compositional symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical river landscape with delicate reeds and pebbles; cool moonlight washes the scene; the garments rendered with fine textile detail; the ascetic’s serene face and lowered gaze emphasized with refined brushwork.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines for the seated figure and flowing river bands; moon disc and halo motifs; natural pigments—deep blue background with yellow-white highlights; temple-wall aesthetic framing the moral stillness.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: river rendered as patterned bands with lotus motifs; central ascetic framed by ornate floral borders; the garments stylized as a small narrative symbol; deep indigo and gold detailing, devotional symmetry and intricate ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","night insects","soft bell chime","long silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्थितः + संस्थाप्य → स्थितस्संस्थाप्य; तत् + न → तन्न
FAQs
It locates the episode at Avakoṭa on a riverbank, reflecting the Purāṇic habit of grounding ethical narratives in identifiable tīrtha-like landscapes.
By showing restraint and purity of mind even when desirable objects appear, it supports the devotional ideal that inner disposition (non-possessiveness) protects spiritual focus.
The verse teaches non-greed: seeing an attractive object does not require taking it; mastery is shown when the mind does not incline toward lobha (covetousness).