Shloka 1
The Description of Mandara (Mandaropavarṇanam) in the Mohinī Narrative
सौतिरुवाच । सा श्रुत्वा ब्रह्मणो वाक्यं नारी कमललोचना । उवाच नाम मेदेहि येन गच्छामि मंदिरम् ॥ १ ॥
sautiruvāca | sā śrutvā brahmaṇo vākyaṃ nārī kamalalocanā | uvāca nāma medehi yena gacchāmi maṃdiram || 1 ||
সূত বললেন—কমলনয়না নারী ব্রহ্মার বচন শুনে বলল, “আমাকে এমন একটি নাম দিন, যার দ্বারা আমি মন্দিরে যেতে পারি।”
Suta
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"bhakti","secondary_rasa":"adbhuta","emotional_journey":"From receptive listening to Brahmā’s instruction to a hopeful request for identity/authorization (‘a name’) to approach the temple—devotion turning into purposeful action."}
FAQs
It emphasizes that sacred access (such as entering a temple) is approached through divinely sanctioned identity and guidance—here, the woman seeks a name (recognition/authorization) after hearing Brahmā’s instruction.
Bhakti is shown as humble, obedient receptivity: she first listens to Brahmā and then asks for what enables worship—permission and the right means to approach the mandira.
Indirectly, it reflects the importance of correct designation and usage of words (Vyākaraṇa/Śabda-pramāṇa): a ‘name’ functions as a proper identifier for religious conduct and social-ritual legitimacy.