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
Dort sind auch grausame Schlangen, suparṇa‑gleiche Vögel (Garuḍa), Bäume und Wesen wie die Jambhakas; ebenso Vidyādharas, Wolkenträger und andere, die durch den Himmel ziehen.
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.