Shloka 16
Brahmā’s Puṣkara Sacrifice: Ṛtvij System, Sāvitrī’s Reconciliation, Tīrtha-Catalogue, Śrāddha & Initiation Rites, and Vrata Fruits
अच्छावाकः क्रतुः प्रोक्तो ग्रावस्तुच्च्यवनस्तथा । पुलस्त्योद्ध्वर्युरेवासीत्प्रतिष्ठाता च वै शिबिः
acchāvākaḥ kratuḥ prokto grāvastuccyavanastathā | pulastyoddhvaryurevāsītpratiṣṭhātā ca vai śibiḥ
Es heißt, Kratu sei der Acchāvāka-Priester gewesen und Cyavana der Grāvastut; Pulastya war wahrlich der Adhvaryu, und Śibi war derjenige, der den Ritus begründete und festigte.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses of Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa 34)
Concept: Sacred action requires both recitation and establishment—speech and foundation; dharma is maintained by those who ‘set’ the rite firmly.
Application: Before beginning any spiritual practice, ‘establish’ it: set intention, prepare the space, and commit to consistency.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Kratu stands with a palm-leaf text, ready as Acchāvāka, while Cyavana sits near the pressing stones, his gaze fixed and inward as Grāvastut. Pulastya, dignified as Adhvaryu, measures the altar lines; Śibi, the establisher, places a consecration marker, making the ground feel newly born as sacred space.","primary_figures":["Kratu","Cyavana","Pulastya","Śibi"],"setting":"altar-construction area within the yajña enclosure, with measuring cords, bricks, pressing stones, and ritual markers","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["brick red","sunlit gold","sage green","smoke blue","cream"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Pulastya as Adhvaryu measuring the vedi with a cord; Śibi placing consecration markers; Kratu and Cyavana with ritual texts and pressing stones; gold leaf highlights on altar bricks and halos, rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry and symmetrical framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate depiction of altar-building with fine cords and bricks; sages in calm poses; soft dawn light, cool shadows, refined facial features, and a gentle landscape beyond the enclosure.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined sages around a stylized brick altar; prominent measuring cord motif; flat pigments, red-yellow-green dominance with rhythmic border patterns and temple-wall feel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: altar rendered as a mandala of bricks and lotuses; sages positioned at cardinal points; intricate floral borders, deep blue background with gold accents, auspicious motifs (peacocks, vines) framing the consecration act."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["stone-on-stone taps","measuring cord rustle","fire crackle (distant)","low chant cadence","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ग्रावस्तुच्च्यवनस्तथा → ग्रावः तु उच्च्यवनः तथा; पुलस्त्योद्ध्वर्युरेवासीत् → पुलस्त्यः उद्ध्वर्युः एव आसीत्
FAQs
It assigns specific Vedic ritual roles to named sages (Kratu, Cyavana, Pulastya) and credits Śibi as the one who established or instituted the rite.
They are categories of officiating priests in Vedic sacrifice: Acchāvāka is a Ṛgvedic reciter, Grāvastut is associated with chants connected to the Soma-pressing stones, and Adhvaryu is the Yajurvedic priest who performs and directs the physical operations of the ritual.
The verse highlights disciplined cooperation and proper stewardship of sacred duties—each person fulfilling a defined role—suggesting that order (dharma) and successful sacred action depend on right appointment and right performance.