Shloka 13
Dharma of the Conduct of the Vānaprastha Āśrama
Forest-Dweller Discipline
भूस्तृणं शष्पकं चैव श्लेष्मातक फलानि च । न फालकृष्टमश्नीयादुत्सृष्टमपि केनचित्
bhūstṛṇaṃ śaṣpakaṃ caiva śleṣmātaka phalāni ca | na phālakṛṣṭamaśnīyādutsṛṣṭamapi kenacit
وہ زمینی گھاس، نوخیز کونپلیں اور شلیشماتک کے پھل نہ کھائے؛ اور ہل سے جوتی ہوئی زمین سے نکلی کوئی چیز، اگرچہ کسی نے پھینک بھی دی ہو، پھر بھی نہ کھائے۔
Unspecified (contextual narrator/teacher voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa Adhyāya 58)
Concept: Vrata-purity is protected by strict dietary restraints and avoidance of food associated with disturbance of earth or social exchange.
Application: Adopt mindful eating: avoid questionable/impure sources, reduce harm in consumption, and keep a simple diet on observance days to stabilize japa and prayer.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A forest hermitage at the edge of a quiet clearing: a vow-keeper sits beside a small kuśa-mat, refusing scattered wild shoots and fallen fruits near a plough-scarred patch of earth. In the background, the soil bears faint furrows, while the ascetic’s calm gaze turns toward a simple altar, signaling that purity is chosen over convenience.","primary_figures":["vratī (Vaiṣṇava ascetic)","forest hermit (optional)","subtle presence of Viṣṇu as a distant blue aura (optional)"],"setting":"Forest āśrama with a modest altar, kuśa grass, clay water-pot, and a boundary between untouched woodland and disturbed earth.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","leaf green","earth umber","smoke gray","indigo blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a disciplined vratī seated in padmāsana beside a small altar, refusing ploughed-up food and wild shoots; gold leaf halo around a faint Viṣṇu aura in the sky, rich vermilion and emerald accents, ornate borders, gem-like highlights on the altar vessels, traditional South Indian iconographic serenity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet Himalayan-forest hermitage with delicate brushwork; the ascetic gestures away from scattered shoots and fruits near faint furrows; cool greens and soft browns, lyrical trees, refined facial features, a subtle blue divine presence in the distance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; the vratī with large expressive eyes sits near a simple altar, forest foliage stylized; red-yellow-green palette with earthy browns, a restrained Viṣṇu-blue glow above, temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional border of lotus and tulasi motifs framing a forest vow-scene; central figure a serene vratī near an altar, with symbolic Viṣṇu-blue aura; intricate floral borders, deep indigo background, gold detailing, peacocks perched on branches to suggest sacred vigilance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["forest birds","soft wind in leaves","distant temple bell","silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव; फालकृष्टमश्नीयात् = फालकृष्टम् + अश्नीयात्; अश्नीयादुत्सृष्टम् = अश्नीयात् + उत्सृष्टम्; उत्सृष्टमपि = उत्सृष्टम् + अपि
FAQs
It teaches dietary restraint as a component of dharma—avoiding certain foods and avoiding items disturbed by ploughing or discarded by others.
It marks food obtained from disturbed ground as unsuitable, reflecting a purity/discipline rule and a caution against eating what is dug up or exposed by agricultural disturbance.
This verse is primarily a dharma-focused conduct rule (ācāra), not a direct bhakti doctrine, though such restraints are often presented as supportive disciplines for spiritual life.