Shloka 19
Annadāna and the Obstruction of Viṣṇu-Darśana; Vāmadeva’s Teaching and the Vāsudeva Stotra Prelude
क्षुधा मे बाधते राजंस्तृष्णा चैव प्रशोषयेत् । कुंजल उवाच । एवमुक्तस्तु प्रियया राजा चिंताकुलेंद्रियः
kṣudhā me bādhate rājaṃstṛṣṇā caiva praśoṣayet | kuṃjala uvāca | evamuktastu priyayā rājā ciṃtākuleṃdriyaḥ
“Tâu Đại vương, cơn đói đang hành hạ thiếp, và cơn khát quả thật làm thiếp khô kiệt,” Kuñjalā thưa. Nghe lời người yêu nói vậy, nhà vua—các căn bị nỗi lo âu phủ lấp—liền rối bời khổ não.
Kuñjala (narrating/quoting a plea to the king, then describing the king’s reaction)
Concept: Compassionate responsiveness to hunger and thirst is a dharmic imperative; neglect or delay becomes a moral crisis that disturbs the mind.
Application: Treat hunger/thirst—yours or another’s—as a prompt for mindful care: keep water/food to share, support relief kitchens, and respond promptly to dependents’ needs.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A weary royal couple pauses on a forest path; the beloved speaks with parched lips, one hand on her throat, the other reaching toward the king. The king’s face shows inward turmoil—eyes lowered, brow tense—as if weighing duty and urgency, while dry leaves swirl around their feet, foreshadowing relief ahead.","primary_figures":["Kuñjala","The king","The beloved (priyā)"],"setting":"Forest road near the edge of an unseen hermitage; sparse shrubs, dust, and distant tree silhouettes.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["dusty umber","pale sand","leaf green","muted maroon","sky gray-blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: royal couple in travel attire on a forest path—beloved pleading of hunger and thirst, king anxious with furrowed brow; ornate jewelry and textiles rendered with gold leaf, stylized trees, decorative borders, rich reds/greens with embossed highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate forest scene with lyrical melancholy—slender figures, expressive faces, soft hills in the distance; the beloved gestures to her throat, the king looks troubled; cool washes, fine linework, subtle emotional storytelling.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and flat natural pigments—king and queen-like beloved in profile, dramatic eye shapes; rhythmic forest motifs; anxiety conveyed through posture and hand gestures, warm reds/yellows/greens.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative vignette framed by floral borders—traveling royals in a stylized grove, peacocks and vines at margins; emphasis on devotional moral mood, deep blues and gold accents, lotus motifs hinting at forthcoming sacred refuge."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["dry wind through leaves","distant birds","soft ankle bells","low drum pulse","brief silence after the plea"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राजंस्तृष्णा = राजन् + तृष्णा; एवमुक्तस्तु = एवम् + उक्तः + तु; चिंताकुलेंद्रियः = चिन्ता + आकुल + इन्द्रियः (समास)
FAQs
The verse marks “Kuñjala said” and reports a plea about hunger and thirst, followed by Kuñjala’s narration that the king, addressed by his beloved, becomes distressed and anxious.
It highlights how basic needs (hunger and thirst) can create urgency and suffering, and how a ruler’s mind and senses can be shaken when confronted with a loved one’s distress—suggesting compassion and responsible response.
It implies the king’s senses and inner faculties are agitated by worry—he is mentally unsettled, not calm or composed, indicating deep concern and inner turmoil.