Shloka 47
The Marks of Merit and the Destinies of Beings
Divine vs Demonic Traits
न शुश्रूषंति वै भृत्याः स्वामिनं गुणशालिनम् । भर्तारं न स्त्रियः काश्चिच्छ्वशुरौ च स्वमातरः
na śuśrūṣaṃti vai bhṛtyāḥ svāminaṃ guṇaśālinam | bhartāraṃ na striyaḥ kāścicchvaśurau ca svamātaraḥ
خادم نیک سیرت آقا کی سچی خدمت نہیں کرتے؛ بعض عورتیں اپنے شوہروں کی تعظیم نہیں کرتیں، اور سسر ساس بلکہ اپنی ماں کا بھی احترام نہیں کرتیں۔
Unspecified (verse excerpt; speaker not identifiable from the single-verse context)
Concept: Sevā (attentive service) and respect within hierarchical bonds—servant to master, wife to husband, daughter-in-law to elders—are pillars of social dharma; their collapse signals adharma.
Application: Cultivate reliability and gratitude in roles you occupy (employee, spouse, family member); practice śuśrūṣā—listening, assisting, and speaking respectfully—especially toward elders.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A noble household hall where a virtuous master sits with calm dignity, yet attendants stand distracted, whispering and turning away from duties. Nearby, a wife averts her gaze from her husband, while an elderly mother and father-in-law sit unhonored, their offerings untouched on a brass plate.","primary_figures":["virtuous master (svāmin)","neglectful servants","husband","wife","father-in-law (śvaśura)","mother (svamātā)"],"setting":"Interior of a traditional gṛha with carved pillars, a low seat for elders, and a small domestic altar in the background.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["dusty saffron","stone beige","deep umber","faded teal","brass gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: interior dharma-drama—virtuous master seated with composed face, servants inattentive; husband and wife shown in tense distance; elders seated with quiet sorrow; gold leaf on pillars and altar lamp, gem-like ornaments on the worthy figures, rich reds/greens contrasted with muted tones on neglectful faces, ornate lotus border.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined domestic scene with subtle expressions—servants half-turned away, the master serene; the wife’s posture angled away from husband; elders in corner with downcast eyes; cool palette with delicate textiles, fine architectural detailing, gentle shading to convey emotional distance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold-lined figures in a household mandapa—master and elders with large compassionate eyes, neglectful figures with restless poses; warm lamp glow near altar, red/yellow/green pigments, patterned floor and floral borders emphasizing order disrupted.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic household with central shrine motif; figures arranged like a moral mandala—elders near lotus border, servants scattered; include peacocks looking away and cows standing still as dharma-witnesses; deep blue background with gold floral filigree and stylized architecture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft ankle-bells","indoor echo","single bell strike","brief hush"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शुश्रूषंति → शुश्रूषन्ति. काश्चिच्छ्वशुरौ → काश्चित् + श्वशुरौ (त् + श्व → च्छ्व). स्वामिनं → स्वामिनम् (म् before consonant often written as anusvāra).
FAQs
It laments a decline in proper conduct: lack of faithful service to a worthy master and lack of respect within the household—toward husband, in-laws, and even one’s own mother.
It underscores household ethics: mutual respect, honoring elders, and fulfilling relational duties—seen as foundations for social and spiritual order.
No. The wording indicates “some” (kāścid) and functions as a moral observation/critique of misconduct, not a universal statement about every person in those roles.