Shloka 152
The Tārakāmaya War: Divine Mustering, Māyā Countermeasures, Aurva Fire, and Viṣṇu’s Slaying of Kālanemi
देवासुरविमर्दं च द्रष्टुकामस्तदा हरिः । ततो भगवतादिष्टौ रणे पावकमारुतौ
devāsuravimardaṃ ca draṣṭukāmastadā hariḥ | tato bhagavatādiṣṭau raṇe pāvakamārutau
Dann befahl Hari, der den Zusammenprall von Devas und Asuras schauen wollte, im Kampf Pāvaka (dem Feuer) und Māruta (dem Wind), ihr Werk zu tun.
Narrator (contextual puranic narration; explicit speaker not stated in the verse)
Concept: All powers—including Fire and Wind—operate under Hari’s sanction; the cosmos is coordinated by the Supreme.
Application: See natural forces and life-events as governed by higher order; cultivate surrender (śaraṇāgati) and humility before the Supreme.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Hari stands as the unseen axis of the battlefield, raising a hand in command as Agni flares like a living banner and Vayu coils as a visible current around chariots and standards. The gods and asuras pause in awe as the elements themselves take orders, turning the war into a cosmic rite.","primary_figures":["Vishnu (Hari)","Agni (Pāvaka)","Vayu (Māruta)","Devas","Asuras"],"setting":"Celestial battlefield with chariots, flying standards, and swirling elemental vortices; distant heavenly architecture hinted at in the sky.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["flame-orange","vermillion","smoke-gray","electric sky-blue","molten gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Hari commanding Agni and Vayu on a celestial battlefield, Agni as a radiant flame-bodied deity with gold leaf flames, Vayu as a dynamic wind-god with flowing scarves, gem-studded crowns, ornate chariots, rich reds/greens, heavy gold leaf embellishment and haloed divinity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate depiction of Vishnu gesturing while Agni rises in stylized tongues of fire and Vayu sweeps dust and banners, cool blues contrasted with warm flame tones, refined faces, lyrical clouds, fine linework for motion in flags and garments.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined Vishnu with commanding mudra, Agni in red-orange with patterned flames, Vayu in greenish tones with swirling motifs, temple mural composition, strong symmetry, traditional pigment palette and expressive eyes.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional battlefield tableau with Vishnu central, Agni and Vayu personified as ornate attendants, lotus and floral borders, deep blue ground with gold highlights, intricate textile patterns, stylized clouds and rhythmic repetition of banners."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","war drums","crackling fire","rushing wind","metallic chariot sounds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: devāsuravimardaṃ = deva-asura-vimardam; draṣṭukāmastadā = draṣṭu-kāmaḥ + tadā (visarga sandhi); bhagavatādiṣṭau = bhagavat + ādiṣṭau; pāvakamārutau = pāvaka-mārutau
FAQs
It describes Hari (Viṣṇu) wishing to observe the deva–asura conflict and directing the elemental deities Fire (Agni/Pāvaka) and Wind (Vāyu/Māruta) to participate in the battle.
The verse implies Viṣṇu’s sovereignty over cosmic functions: even powerful elemental forces act according to the Lord’s directive within the puranic vision of divine order.
Power and agency are portrayed as accountable to a higher dharmic order; even great forces should be directed toward rightful purpose rather than uncontrolled destruction.