Shloka 19
Glorification of Vārāṇasī: Kapardīśvara Liṅga and the Piśācamocana Tīrtha
प्रोवाच को भवान्कस्माद्देशाद्देशमिमं श्रितः । तस्मै पिशाचः क्षुधया पीड्यमानोऽब्रवीद्वचः
provāca ko bhavānkasmāddeśāddeśamimaṃ śritaḥ | tasmai piśācaḥ kṣudhayā pīḍyamāno'bravīdvacaḥ
Ngài hỏi: “Ngươi là ai, và từ xứ nào mà đến, lại tìm nương náu nơi đất này?” Khi ấy, piśāca bị cơn đói hành hạ liền thưa đáp bằng những lời sau đây.
Narrator (introducing a dialogue); the question is posed by an unnamed interlocutor, answered by a piśāca.
Concept: Dharma begins with inquiry—asking the suffering being’s story to discern causes and appropriate remedy.
Application: When confronted with suffering, ask respectfully before judging; listen to the backstory to respond wisely.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The sage, composed yet concerned, addresses the hungry piśāca with a steady gaze, his hand gesturing in gentle questioning. The piśāca leans forward, clutching its hollow belly, about to speak—its words poised like a confession that will reshape the scene’s moral gravity.","primary_figures":["muni (questioner)","piśāca (respondent)"],"setting":"forest path near an āśrama boundary marker, with a small shrine-stone and hanging prayer-cloths","lighting_mood":"twilight—half light, half shadow","color_palette":["dusky violet","deep forest green","ashen white","copper brown","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: two-figure dialogue composition—sage on the right with gold-leaf halo and ornate border, piśāca on the left in stark tones; stylized forest backdrop, rich reds/greens, embossed gold detailing emphasizing the sage’s sanctity and the moral contrast.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: conversational intimacy with refined gestures; twilight gradient sky, slender trees, delicate facial expressions; the piśāca’s hunger shown subtly, not grotesque, with lyrical realism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and expressive eyes; the sage’s questioning mudrā clear; the piśāca’s gauntness stylized; warm red-yellow background bands with green foliage motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative panel within ornate floral borders; the sage centered, the piśāca slightly below; lotus motifs and scrolling vines; deep blue ground with gold highlights to frame the moral dialogue."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft drone","rustling leaves","single bell strike","distant flowing water (imagined)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवान्कस्माद्देशाद्देशमिमं = भवान् + कस्मात् + देशात् + देशम् + इमम्; पीड्यमानोऽब्रवीद्वचः = पीड्यमानः + अब्रवीत् + वचः
FAQs
The verse is narrative: an unnamed person asks the questions, and the piśāca (hungry and afflicted) is introduced as the respondent.
It is a formal inquiry about identity and origin—“Who are you, and from which region have you come?”—often used to frame a moral or theological account that follows.
The scene foregrounds compassion and discernment: before judging an afflicted being (here, a piśāca), one first asks their story—identity, circumstances, and cause of suffering.