Shloka 14
Teaching on Karma-yoga
Discipline of Action as Worship
उद्धृत्य दक्षिणं बाहुं सव्यबाहौ समर्पितम् । उपवीतं भवेन्नित्यं निवीतं कंठसज्जने
uddhṛtya dakṣiṇaṃ bāhuṃ savyabāhau samarpitam | upavītaṃ bhavennityaṃ nivītaṃ kaṃṭhasajjane
جب دایاں بازو اٹھا کر یَجنوپویت کو بائیں کندھے پر رکھا جائے تو وہ ہمیشہ ‘اُپویت’ کی حالت کہلاتی ہے؛ اور جب اسے گلے میں پہن لیا جائے تو وہ ‘نِویت’ کہلاتا ہے۔
Unspecified (narrative instruction within the chapter)
Concept: Correct orientation of the yajñopavīta marks the ritual mode; names encode function and context.
Application: Learn the three thread positions and use them intentionally (worship, ancestral rites, certain acts); treat small disciplines as spiritual attentiveness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A close, instructional moment: the practitioner lifts the right arm, guiding the sacred thread over the left shoulder in a clean diagonal line, while a second vignette shows the thread looped around the neck as nivīta. The composition feels like a sacred diagram brought to life—hands, thread, and posture rendered with reverent precision.","primary_figures":["dvija (ritual practitioner)"],"setting":"simple domestic shrine corner with a small lamp, water pot, and palm-leaf manuscript open to ritual notes","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["ivory white","lamp-flame gold","vermillion red","indigo shadow","sandalwood beige"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: two-panel didactic composition—left panel shows upavīta with thread over left shoulder, right panel shows nivīta around the neck; gold leaf on the lamp flame and borders, rich crimson backdrop, ornate yet clear hand gestures, traditional jewelry minimal to emphasize ritual clarity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate hands adjusting the yajñopavīta, soft interior light, a manuscript and tulsi-wood mala on a low stool (as a quiet Vaishnava hint); refined lines, gentle gradients, calm domestic sanctum atmosphere.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized figure with bold outlines demonstrating upavīta and nivīta in sequential poses; warm red and yellow fields, green accents, rhythmic border motifs, large expressive eyes conveying disciplined serenity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic layout where the sacred thread forms a graceful white arc like a garland across a lotus-patterned background; small narrative medallions show upavīta and nivīta positions; deep blue ground with gold floral borders and temple-lamp motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft bell","page rustle of manuscript","lamp crackle","quiet room tone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhavennityam → bhavet nityam; kaṃṭhasajjane → kaṇṭha-sajjane.
FAQs
Upavīta is the standard way of wearing the sacred thread: placed over the left shoulder (savyabāhu) with the right arm lifted/cleared so the thread sits correctly.
Nivīta refers to wearing the sacred thread around the neck (kaṇṭha), rather than across the torso over the shoulder.
It provides a clear definition of two recognized ways of wearing the yajñopavīta, distinguishing the everyday/standard upavīta from the neck-worn nivīta arrangement.