Shloka 39
Prohibitions and Rules of Right Conduct (Ācāra): Theft, Speech, Purity, Residence, and Social Boundaries
कर्णौ पिधाय गंतव्यं न चैनमवलोकयेत् । वर्ज्जयेद्वै रहस्यानि परेषां गर्हणं बुधः
karṇau pidhāya gaṃtavyaṃ na cainamavalokayet | varjjayedvai rahasyāni pareṣāṃ garhaṇaṃ budhaḥ
Hãy bịt tai mà rời đi, và đừng ngoảnh nhìn người ấy. Bậc trí nên tránh lời thì thầm bí mật và sự chê bai, bôi nhọ kẻ khác.
Unspecified (general didactic instruction within Svargakhaṇḍa narration)
Concept: Guard the ear and eye from gossip and slander; disengagement is a form of ethical tapas.
Application: When conversation turns to confidential talk or disparagement, physically step away; avoid eye-contact that signals participation; redirect to constructive topics or silent japa.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A calm, learned brāhmaṇa traveler pauses on a forest path as a cluster of townsfolk whisper in a shadowed corner. He gently covers his ears with both hands, turns his face away without contempt, and walks toward a distant Viṣṇu shrine, choosing silence over complicity.","primary_figures":["a wise brāhmaṇa (dhārmika traveler)","whispering townsfolk","a distant Viṣṇu shrine (symbolic)"],"setting":"Forest-edge path leading to a small temple courtyard; banyan and aśvattha trees; a low stone platform where gossipers sit.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","leaf green","smoke gray","vermillion accent","temple-lamp gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dhārmika brāhmaṇa with serene face covers his ears and turns away from whispering figures; distant Viṣṇu shrine with gold-leaf vimāna, rich red-green textiles, gem-studded ornaments on the shrine icon, ornate floral borders, high contrast sacred glow.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate brushwork shows a quiet forest path, refined faces, the wise man covering his ears while walking away; cool greens and soft browns, lyrical trees, distant small temple with fluttering flag, subtle emotion and restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, stylized eyes, the brāhmaṇa in simple ochre garments covering ears; gossipers in darker tones; temple lamp and Viṣṇu emblem in the background; red-yellow-green palette with rhythmic foliage patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central motif of a path leading to a Viṣṇu shrine framed by lotus and creeper borders; the wise figure covering ears as a moral allegory; peacocks and floral filigree, deep indigo background with gold highlights, intricate textile-like detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","rustling leaves","distant conch shell","brief silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gaṃtavyaṃ → gantavyam; cainamavalokayet → ca enam avalokayet; varjjayedvai → varjayet vai (orthographic gemination); pareṣāṃ garhaṇaṃ (no sandhi)
FAQs
It advises immediate disengagement—do not listen, do not watch, and physically leave when encountering slander, malicious talk, or secretive gossip.
It emphasizes complete non-participation: avoiding both hearing and visual attention so one is not drawn into or complicit in harmful speech.
A wise person protects dharma by refusing to entertain others’ secrets and by avoiding criticism or disparagement of people.