Shloka 12
The Glory of Prayāga
Mahātmyā of the Confluence
ऋषिभिः क्रतवः प्रोक्ता देवैश्चापि यथाक्रमम् । न हि शक्या दरिद्रेण यज्ञाः प्राप्तुं महीपते
ṛṣibhiḥ kratavaḥ proktā devaiścāpi yathākramam | na hi śakyā daridreṇa yajñāḥ prāptuṃ mahīpate
ঋষিরা এবং দেবতারাও যথাক্রমে ক্রতু (যজ্ঞবিধি) নির্ধারণ করেছেন। হে মহীপতে, দরিদ্র মানুষের পক্ষে যজ্ঞ সম্পাদন করা সত্যই সম্ভব নয়।
Unspecified (narrative voice addressing a king: 'mahīpate')
Concept: Vedic sacrifices are orderly and authoritative, yet materially difficult for the poor—hinting that alternative meritorious paths must exist.
Application: Avoid judging spirituality by expense; choose practices available to all—truthfulness, japa, simple offerings, service, and tīrtha with humility.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal court scene where a sage explains to a thoughtful king that grand yajñas demand costly materials. In the background, a poor but devout householder watches from the edge, hands folded, conveying the tension between aspiration and means.","primary_figures":["sage (ṛṣi)","king (mahīpati)","poor devotee/householder"],"setting":"palace hall opening to a yajña-śālā with stacked ritual vessels, ladles, and heaps of offerings","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["burnished gold","smoke-gray","sandalwood beige","crimson","peacock blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: palace court with the king on a jeweled throne listening to a sage; behind them a richly decorated yajña-śālā with golden vessels, ghee pots, and ritual implements; gold leaf on ornaments and pillars, deep red drapery, emerald accents, and a humble poor devotee at the margin rendered with dignified simplicity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate court conversation; the sage gestures toward a small illustrated yajña pavilion filled with implements; the poor devotee stands near a doorway; soft shading, delicate textiles, cool architectural lines, and a restrained palette emphasizing quiet compassion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal figures with bold outlines; the sage’s teaching hand raised, the king attentive; stylized yajña implements arranged in rhythmic patterns; warm ochres and reds, green borders, lamp motifs, and a subdued figure of the poor devotee to highlight accessibility concerns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition—yajña implements arranged like floral mandalas around a central teaching scene; ornate borders of lotuses and creepers; deep blue background with gold detailing; devotional emphasis on the heart over expense."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low ritual drum (mṛdaṅga)","crackling fire","soft court ambience","temple bells in distance"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देवैः + च + अपि → देवैश्चापि; यथा + क्रमम् → यथाक्रमम् (अव्ययीभाव)
FAQs
Because Vedic yajñas typically require materials, offerings, and patronage; the verse acknowledges that economic limitation can make formal ritual performance impracticable.
Kratu refers to an organized sacrificial rite—often a formally prescribed Vedic sacrifice—arranged in a recognized sequence and procedure.
It suggests rulers should recognize material constraints in religious life and support dharmic practice without making ritual obligation oppressive for those with fewer resources.