Shloka 38
The Duties and Conduct of the Graduate (Snātaka) and the Householder
सीदन्नपि हि धर्मेण न त्वधर्मं समाचरेत् । धर्मो हि भगवान्देवो गतिः सर्वेषु जंतुषु
sīdannapi hi dharmeṇa na tvadharmaṃ samācaret | dharmo hi bhagavāndevo gatiḥ sarveṣu jaṃtuṣu
اگرچہ آدمی سختی میں ڈوب رہا ہو تب بھی دھرم کے مطابق ہی چلے، ادھرم نہ کرے؛ کیونکہ دھرم ہی بھگوان دَیو ہے، اور سب جانداروں کی پناہ اور آخری منزل ہے۔
Unspecified (narrative voice not provided in the input excerpt)
Concept: Even in distress, do not commit adharma; dharma itself is divine and the ultimate refuge and course for all beings.
Application: When pressured by fear or loss, choose ethical action; build ‘non-negotiables’ (truthfulness, non-harm, integrity) and accept short-term hardship for long-term spiritual safety.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A traveler in torn garments stands amid a storm and collapsing bridge, yet refuses a shadowy offer of adharma. Above, Dharma appears as a radiant deity-like presence—half abstract, half personified—casting a protective beam that becomes a path forward.","primary_figures":["a struggling householder or dvija","personified Dharma (divine figure)","shadowy tempter figure (symbolic adharma)"],"setting":"Rocky ravine with storm clouds, a precarious path, and a distant temple silhouette representing refuge.","lighting_mood":"dramatic","color_palette":["storm gray","electric blue","radiant gold","deep maroon","stone white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic moral tableau—central figure resisting adharma, personified Dharma above with gold leaf aura and ornate crown; rich maroons and greens, embossed gold highlights on the protective ray forming a path, temple-arch framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: stormy hillside scene with delicate rain strokes, the protagonist poised with firm gaze; a luminous Dharma figure in the clouds, refined facial features, cool palette with a warm golden refuge-path.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined storm scene, stylized clouds and lightning; Dharma as a radiant guardian figure with strong yellow-red-green pigments, protective beam rendered as patterned band leading forward.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central golden path motif cutting through a dark blue storm field; floral borders contrast the turmoil; Dharma symbolized by a radiant lotus-disc above, intricate white filigree and gold detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["distant thunder","conch shell accent","temple bells","wind"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सीदन्+अपि→सीदन्नपि; तु+अधर्मम्→त्वधर्मम् (उकारस्य वकारादेशः); भगवान्+देवः→भगवान्देवः.
FAQs
It teaches steadfastness: even under extreme hardship, one should not resort to adharma; dharma must remain the guiding principle of action.
It personifies Dharma as “Bhagavān Deva”—a divine Lord—indicating that dharma is not merely social custom but a sacred, ultimate principle and refuge.
When pressured by fear, loss, or desperation, the verse advises choosing the righteous option over expedient wrongdoing, trusting dharma as the safest long-term refuge and direction.