Shloka 167
Agastya Arghya Rite and the Gaurī & Sārasvata Vows
with Origin Narratives and Merit Statements
सा पूर्वस्यापि वन्द्या च लक्ष्मीर्विष्णुप्रतिग्रहात् । मया पूर्वं तवार्थाय दक्षयज्ञस्तु नाशितः
sā pūrvasyāpi vandyā ca lakṣmīrviṣṇupratigrahāt | mayā pūrvaṃ tavārthāya dakṣayajñastu nāśitaḥ
Sie ist selbst im früheren Zeitalter ehrwürdig, denn Lakṣmī wurde so, als Viṣṇu sie annahm. Einst, um deinetwillen, habe ich wahrlich Dakṣas Opfer zerstört.
Uncertain from single-verse context (likely a dialogue speaker within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa; commonly framed as Mahādeva speaking in Dakṣa-yajña narrative contexts).
Concept: True venerability (vandya) arises from divine acceptance and right relationship—Lakṣmī’s glory is inseparable from Viṣṇu’s embrace; ritual without reverence collapses.
Application: Let recognition be grounded in character and right association; do not weaponize ritual status—repair disrespect before it ruins collective good.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stern divine figure recalls the moment Dakṣa’s grand sacrifice shattered—fire altars, toppled ladles, and stunned sages frozen mid-chant. Above the chaos, the presence of Viṣṇu and the radiance of Lakṣmī’s sanctity are implied as the true axis of reverence.","primary_figures":["Rudra (Śiva)","Lakṣmī","Viṣṇu","Dakṣa","assembled ṛṣis"],"setting":"vast sacrificial arena with multiple fire altars, banners, offering vessels, and celestial spectators","lighting_mood":"storm-lit with sudden divine flare","color_palette":["ash gray","flame orange","sandalwood beige","sapphire blue","gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic yajña scene with gold-leaf flames and ornate altar details; Rudra in commanding stance, while a small luminous vignette shows Viṣṇu with Lakṣmī enthroned, emphasizing ‘Viṣṇu-pratigraha’; rich reds, greens, and heavy jewelry, embossed gold halos.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: panoramic sacrificial ground with delicate figures of sages; smoke curls rendered softly; Rudra’s intervention shown with restrained dynamism; in the sky, Viṣṇu-Lakṣmī appear as a calm blue-gold cloud vignette, cool palette and refined expressions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold-lined yajña pavilion, stylized flames, Rudra with intense eyes; Viṣṇu and Lakṣmī in iconic frontal depiction within a circular aureole; strong reds/yellows/greens with temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central medallion of Viṣṇu-Lakṣmī with lotus border; outer ring depicts the yajña disruption in narrative panels; intricate floral motifs, deep indigo background, gold highlights and symmetrical storytelling."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling sacrificial fire","chanting interrupted","sudden conch blast","wind gust"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूर्वस्यापि = पूर्वस्य + अपि; लक्ष्मीर्विष्णुप्रतिग्रहात् = लक्ष्मीः + विष्णु-प्रतिग्रहात्; तवार्थाय = तव + अर्थाय; दक्षयज्ञस्तु = दक्ष-यज्ञः + तु
FAQs
The verse links Lakṣmī’s honored status to her intimate association with Viṣṇu—her dignity and worship-worthiness are affirmed through her being received/accepted by him.
It alludes to the well-known Dakṣa-yajña episode, using it as a reminder of a past decisive act performed “for your sake,” indicating protection of honor/dharma within the narrative.
Honor arises from righteous association and divine alignment, and wrongdoing in sacred acts (like a corrupted sacrifice) may be opposed—even forcefully—when dharma and respect are violated.