Shloka 25
Ravana’s Austerities, the Gods’ Refuge, and the Decree of Rama’s Incarnation
स तु वंद्यादृष्यशृंगात्प्रार्थितात्पुत्रकाम्यया । पुत्रेष्ट्यां विधिना यज्वा महाबलसमन्वितः
sa tu vaṃdyādṛṣyaśṛṃgātprārthitātputrakāmyayā | putreṣṭyāṃ vidhinā yajvā mahābalasamanvitaḥ
Er, auf Bitten des verehrungswürdigen Ṛṣyaśṛṅga und aus dem Wunsch nach einem Sohn, vollzog nach vorgeschriebener Ordnung das Putreṣṭi-Opfer, ausgestattet mit großer Kraft.
Unspecified narrator (contextual prose narrator within Pātālakhaṇḍa; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue frame)
Concept: When desire is aligned with dharma and guided by realized sages, ritual action becomes a conduit for divine grace.
Application: Seek wise guidance for major life aims; perform duties with method (vidhi), purity, and humility—results mature through grace and right means.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grand yajña-śālā in Ayodhyā: four blazing fire-altars, priests chanting in measured cadence, and Ṛṣyaśṛṅga presiding with calm authority. Daśaratha stands with folded hands, offerings poised, while sacred smoke rises like a ladder toward the unseen gods, hinting at imminent divine response.","primary_figures":["Ṛṣyaśṛṅga","King Daśaratha","hotṛ/adhvaryu/udgātṛ priests"],"setting":"Ritual pavilion with vedi altars, kusa grass, ladles, soma vessels, and banners of the Solar dynasty","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["flame orange","ash gray","saffron","royal blue","burnished gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: elaborate putreṣṭi yajña scene—Ṛṣyaśṛṅga centered with gold leaf halo, fire altars rendered with gold highlights, Daśaratha offering ghee; rich reds/greens, gem-like detailing on vessels, symmetrical ritual geometry, ornate borders resembling temple prabhāvali.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: airy yajña pavilion with delicate smoke curls, fine-lined priests, and soft earth tones; refined expressions, detailed ritual implements, and a lyrical sky suggesting gods listening; subtle Himalayan-style flora framing the pavilion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined fire altars and stylized Ṛṣyaśṛṅga with serene eyes; natural pigment palette dominated by reds/yellows/greens; rhythmic decorative motifs around the vedi; dynamic flames and patterned textiles.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: yajña pavilion framed by lotus borders and intricate floral vines; deep indigo background with gold flames; priests in repeating patterns like a devotional procession; auspicious symbols (kalasha, conch) integrated into the border to hint Viṣṇu as yajña-puruṣa."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["Vedic chanting","crackling fire","ghee ladle clinks","conch shell at oblation peaks"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वंद्यादृष्यशृंगात् = वन्द्यात् + ऋष्यशृंगात्; प्रार्थितात्पुत्रकाम्यया = प्रार्थितात् + पुत्रकाम्यया; अन्यत्र सन्धिः साधारणः।
FAQs
Putreṣṭi is a Vedic son-seeking sacrifice performed according to prescribed ritual rules (vidhi) for the begetting of offspring, especially a male heir, as described in several Itihāsa–Purāṇa narratives.
Ṛṣyaśṛṅga is portrayed as a revered ascetic whose request or mediation carries spiritual authority, prompting the proper performance of a son-granting rite for someone longing for a child.
The verse highlights dharma as adherence to proper method—success is associated not merely with desire (kāmyā) but with performing sanctioned rites correctly (vidhinā).