Shloka 157
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
क्रूरास्सर्पाः सुपर्णाश्च तरवो जंभकादयः । विद्याधरा जलधरास्तथैवाकाशगामिनः
krūrāssarpāḥ suparṇāśca taravo jaṃbhakādayaḥ | vidyādharā jaladharāstathaivākāśagāminaḥ
وكذلك وُجدت الأفاعي الشرسة، والطيور الشبيهة بسوبرنا (غارودا)، والأشجار، وكائنات مثل الجامبهاكا؛ ومعهم الفيديادهارا، وحَمَلة السحاب، وغيرهم ممن يسيرون في الفضاء.
Unspecified (verse appears within ongoing narrative of Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa; speaker not identifiable from single verse alone)
Concept: Creation includes diverse and even fearsome beings; dharma is to recognize cosmic order rather than deny complexity.
Application: Cultivate non-reactive awareness toward the world’s mixed nature; respond with discernment rather than aversion.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sweeping cosmic panorama where the mid-sky teems with Vidyādharas and cloud-bearing spirits, while below coil fierce serpents in shadowed groves. Garuḍa-like birds wheel above ancient trees, suggesting a newly manifested world alive with peril and wonder.","primary_figures":["Vidyādhara","Jaladhara (cloud-bearer) spirits","Garuḍa-like birds (suparṇa)","Serpents (nāga/sarpa)","Jambhaka beings","Primeval trees"],"setting":"A liminal creation-scape: forested earth below, vast antarikṣa above with rolling clouds and flying beings, horizon fading into cosmic mist.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","storm-cloud gray","emerald green","serpent-hood obsidian","sunlit gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a grand creation tableau with layered sky and earth; Garuḍa-like birds in jeweled plumage, coiled nāgas with gem-like hoods, Vidyādharas in ornate crowns riding cloud swirls; heavy gold leaf outlining clouds and wings, rich crimson-green borders, temple-icon symmetry with gem-studded highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical antarikṣa scene with delicate cloud curls, slender Vidyādharas gliding with scarves, suparṇas arcing over stylized cedars; cool blues and soft greens, refined faces, fine linework, misty distance and gentle gradients.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments; dramatic nāgas with patterned hoods, stylized trees, cloud-bearers in rhythmic formations; characteristic large eyes, red-yellow-green dominance with deep blue sky bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate border of lotus and cloud motifs; central sky filled with patterned clouds and flying Vidyādharas, flanked by peacocks and stylized suparṇas; deep indigo ground with gold detailing, floral vines framing the cosmic menagerie."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["wind through trees","distant thunder","wingbeats","temple bells (soft)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: krūrāssarpāḥ → krūrāḥ + sarpāḥ; suparṇāśca → suparṇāḥ + ca; jaladharāstathaivākāśagāminaḥ → jaladharāḥ + tathā + eva + ākāśagāminaḥ.
FAQs
Vidyādharas are celestial beings associated with “vidyā” (knowledge, magical sciences) and are often described in Purāṇic literature as semi-divine sky-dwellers who possess extraordinary powers.
Literally “water-bearer,” jaladhara commonly denotes clouds; in Purāṇic diction it can also imply cloud-associated beings. The verse groups them with sky-travelers, supporting the “clouds/cloud-bearers” sense.
Such catalog-style verses emphasize the vast diversity of creation—moving from terrestrial (serpents, trees) to aerial/celestial classes (Suparṇas, Vidyādharas, sky-goers)—to present a comprehensive Purāṇic cosmology.