Shloka 15
The Glory of Truthful Oaths and Keeping One’s Promise
Satya & Pratijñā
सूत उवाच । पुरा किंचित्पुरे शूद्रो नाम्नासीद्वीरविक्रमः । बह्वाशी पृथुलांगश्च बहुवक्तातिसुंदरः
sūta uvāca | purā kiṃcitpure śūdro nāmnāsīdvīravikramaḥ | bahvāśī pṛthulāṃgaśca bahuvaktātisuṃdaraḥ
Sūta nói: Thuở xưa, tại một thành nọ có một người Śūdra tên Vīravikrama—ăn nhiều, thân hình vạm vỡ rộng lớn, nói năng rất nhiều, và dung mạo cực kỳ tuấn mỹ.
Sūta
Concept: Spiritual narratives often begin with an ordinary (even socially marginal) protagonist to show dharma’s reach beyond birth-status.
Application: Do not dismiss people’s spiritual potential based on social labels; cultivate humility and openness to instruction wherever it appears.
Primary Rasa: hasya
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A bustling ancient city street frames the introduction of Vīravikrama: broad-shouldered, handsome, and animated, surrounded by curious townsfolk. The narrator’s presence is felt as a subtle, unseen witness, setting the stage for a moral tale where appearances will soon be tested.","primary_figures":["Sūta (narrator presence)","Vīravikrama","townspeople"],"setting":"North Indian-style puranic city lane with carved wooden balconies, market stalls, and a distant temple spire","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron ochre","indigo blue","terracotta red","ivory white","brass gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a lively puranic city vignette introducing Vīravikrama—broad-limbed handsome man in traditional attire, animated gesture and expressive eyes, townspeople and temple gopura-like spire in the background; gold leaf highlights on jewelry, borders, and architectural motifs; rich reds, greens, and deep blues; ornate floral frame and gem-studded embellishment.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical city street with delicate linework, Vīravikrama portrayed handsome and talkative with refined facial features; cool shadows and warm dawn wash; small temple silhouette and distant hills; patterned textiles and subtle narrative details in corners.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments; Vīravikrama centered with heroic proportions, expressive eyes, stylized city architecture and temple lamp motifs; dominant reds, yellows, greens with controlled shading; mural-like border bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative panel framed by lotus and floral borders; city scene with peacocks perched on balconies, decorative lotuses and vines; deep blue background accents with gold detailing; figures arranged symmetrically like a devotional tableau though set in a townscape."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["market murmur (subtle)","temple bells (distant)","footsteps on stone","soft drone (tanpura)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: किंचित्पुरे → किञ्चित् + पुरे; नाम्नासीद् → नाम्ना + आसीत्; पृथुलांगश्च → पृथुलाङ्गः + च; बहुवक्तातिसुंदरः → बहुवक्ता + अतिसुन्दरः
FAQs
The speaker is Sūta, and the verse functions as a character-introduction, describing Vīravikrama’s identity and notable traits before the story proceeds.
He is described as a Śūdra by social designation, named Vīravikrama, and characterized as a heavy eater, broad-bodied, very talkative, and exceptionally handsome.
On its own, the verse is primarily descriptive rather than didactic; any ethical lesson typically emerges from how these traits affect later actions and outcomes in the surrounding narrative.