Shloka 67
Brahmā’s Puṣkara Sacrifice: Kokāmukha Tīrtha, Varāha’s Aid, and the Arrival of Gāyatrī
उवाच वचनं कोकामुखं तीर्थं त्वया विभो । पालनीयं सदा गोप्यं रक्षा कार्या मखे त्विह
uvāca vacanaṃ kokāmukhaṃ tīrthaṃ tvayā vibho | pālanīyaṃ sadā gopyaṃ rakṣā kāryā makhe tviha
Er sprach diese Worte: „O Herr, diese heilige Furt namens Kokāmukha sollst du stets bewahren, verborgen halten und hier während des Opfers schützen.“
Unspecified (narrative voice does not identify the speaker in the provided excerpt)
Concept: Sacred places require protection, discretion, and ritual stewardship; holiness is maintained through dharmic guardianship.
Application: Treat sacred spaces—temples, rivers, pilgrimage sites—with care: avoid exploitation, maintain cleanliness, support preservation, and keep vows/rituals with integrity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On a quiet river-ford named Kokāmukha, a solemn figure addresses the Lord with folded hands, pointing toward the shimmering crossing where pilgrims would bathe. The sacrificial enclosure stands nearby—smoke rising from the altar—while unseen guardians seem to hover in the air, emphasizing that the tīrtha’s power must be protected and kept from profanation.","primary_figures":["A supplicant sage/priest","Viṣṇu (as Vibhu, the Lord)","attendant devas (subtle)"],"setting":"Riverbank tīrtha with a marked ford, stone steps, a yajña-śālā with vedi and sacred fire, kusa grass, and protective boundary lines.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["smoky amber","river-teal","sandalwood beige","vermillion","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vishnu standing in blessing posture near a river-ghāṭa labeled Kokāmukha, a sage in añjali; gold leaf for Vishnu’s halo and ornaments, rich maroons and greens for textiles, detailed yajña-vedi with flames, ornate arch framing and lotus borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate riverbank scene with delicate ripples and soft foliage; a humble sage speaks to Vishnu, subtle smoke from a small yajña; cool natural palette with gentle gold highlights, refined expressions conveying secrecy and reverence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic Vishnu with bold outlines and large eyes, sage in devotional posture; stylized river waves and yajña fire motifs; earthy reds/yellows/greens with black contouring, temple-wall composition emphasizing protection.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional river-ghāṭa with ornate floral borders; Vishnu central, sage at side, yajña fire as a decorative flame motif; deep blue-green water patterns, gold detailing, lotus clusters around the ford to signify tīrtha potency."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","crackling sacred fire","soft bells","murmured mantra","birds at dusk"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tviha = tu + iha (उ + इ → वि/त्वि as euphonic combination).
FAQs
It presents the tīrtha as something that must be actively maintained and guarded, especially “in/at the sacrifice” (makhe), implying ritual settings require heightened protection and care.
The instruction to keep it “gopyam” suggests sanctity can involve controlled access—protecting the site from misuse, disturbance, or profanation, particularly during sacred rites.
It emphasizes stewardship: sacred places are not merely visited but responsibly safeguarded—through continuous preservation (pālanīyam sadā) and deliberate protection (rakṣā kāryā).