Shloka 1
Teaching on Karma-yoga
Discipline of Action as Worship
ऋषय ऊचु । कर्मयोगः कथं सूत येन चाराधितो हरिः । प्रसीदति महाभाग वद नो वदतां वर
ṛṣaya ūcu | karmayogaḥ kathaṃ sūta yena cārādhito hariḥ | prasīdati mahābhāga vada no vadatāṃ vara
رشیوں نے کہا: “اے سوت! کرم یوگ کس طرح کیا جائے کہ جس سے ہری کی آرادھنا کرنے پر وہ راضی ہو جائے؟ اے خوش نصیب! ہمیں بتاؤ، تم بولنے والوں میں سب سے برتر ہو۔”
The sages (ṛṣayaḥ), addressing Sūta
Concept: Karma-yoga is sought not as mere technique but as Hari-ārādhana—action disciplined so that it pleases Viṣṇu.
Application: Ask ‘Does this please Hari and protect dharma?’ before acting; cultivate niyama (regularity), satya, ahiṃsā, and offering of results; seek guidance from trustworthy teachers and texts.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a quiet forest hermitage, a semicircle of sages with matted locks and white garments sit before Sūta, their palms joined as they ask about karma-yoga that pleases Hari. Behind them, a small altar with a Viṣṇu emblem (śaṅkha-cakra) and a steady lamp suggests that the inquiry itself is worship.","primary_figures":["Sūta","assembled ṛṣis"],"setting":"Naimiṣāraṇya-like forest āśrama: kusa mats, sacrificial area, deer wandering at a distance, hanging water pots, manuscripts on a stand.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sage green","earth brown","smoke gray","lamp gold","white cotton"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Sūta seated on a decorated seat under a stylized tree canopy, sages in symmetrical rows with folded hands; gold leaf highlights on lamp, ornaments, and manuscript borders; rich reds/greens in textiles, traditional South Indian framing with lotus motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate forest assembly with delicate foliage, refined faces, soft shadows; Sūta gestures gently while sages listen; cool greens and browns, subtle gold for the lamp, lyrical naturalism with birds perched on branches.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized forest backdrop, Sūta and sages with characteristic large eyes; red/yellow/green palette, ornamental borders, a small Viṣṇu symbol near the altar, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional assembly framed by intricate floral borders; central lamp and Viṣṇu emblem, sages arranged rhythmically; deep blue border accents with lotuses and peacocks, textile symmetry and fine patterning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["forest birds","rustling leaves","soft tanpura drone","occasional temple bell","hushed assembly silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऋषयः + ऊचुः → ऋषय ऊचुः (अः + ऊ → ओ; पदच्छेदे विसर्ग-लोपः). येन + च → येन च; च + आराधितः → चाराधितः (च + आ → चा).
FAQs
The sages ask Sūta to explain the method of karma-yoga—right action as a spiritual discipline—by which worship of Hari (Viṣṇu) becomes effective and gains divine grace.
It frames karma-yoga as a way of “ārādhana” (devotional worship): actions, when performed as worship directed to Hari, become a means to please God rather than mere worldly duty.
That action should be guided by reverence and higher purpose—performed in a disciplined, worshipful manner—so that one’s conduct aligns with spiritual aims and earns divine favor.