Shloka 191
Narasiṃha’s Greatness and the Slaying of Hiraṇyakaśipu
Boon, Portents, and Cosmic Restoration
परं च धर्मं परमं यशश्च त्वामाहुरग्र्यं परमं पुराणम् । परं च सत्यं परमं तपश्च परं पवित्रं परमं च मार्गं
paraṃ ca dharmaṃ paramaṃ yaśaśca tvāmāhuragryaṃ paramaṃ purāṇam | paraṃ ca satyaṃ paramaṃ tapaśca paraṃ pavitraṃ paramaṃ ca mārgaṃ
Man verkündet dich als das höchste Dharma und den erhabensten Ruhm, als das vorderste und vortrefflichste Purāṇa. Du bist auch die höchste Wahrheit und die höchste Askese (tapas), der größte Reiniger und der höchste Pfad.
Unspecified (a eulogistic address to the Purāṇa/scripture itself)
Concept: Śāstra (the Purāṇa) is praised as the highest dharma, truth, tapas, purifier, and path—implying that hearing/reciting it functions as a direct sādhana.
Application: Make daily time for Purāṇa-śravaṇa/adhyayana; treat truthful speech, ethical conduct, and devotional reading as tapas; use scripture as a ‘path’ when choices are unclear.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A palm-leaf manuscript of the Padma Purāṇa rests on a lotus pedestal, radiating a soft halo as sages offer flowers and incense. Behind it, a faint vision of Nārāyaṇa appears within a luminous lotus, suggesting that dharma, truth, and purification flow from the same source.","primary_figures":["Personified Padma Purāṇa (as a radiant manuscript-deity)","Sages (ṛṣis)","Nārāyaṇa (visionary presence)"],"setting":"Hermitage library-shrine with lotus motifs, brass lamps, incense smoke curling upward, garlands draped over manuscripts","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["gold leaf","lotus pink","saffron","deep indigo","ivory parchment"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the Padma Purāṇa as a sacred palm-leaf manuscript on a lotus throne, thick gold-leaf halo and embossed aureole, sages in white with rudrākṣa and flower offerings, ornate arch with lotus creepers, rich vermilion and emerald background, gem-studded ornaments on the pedestal, South Indian lamp flames glowing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet āśrama scene with delicate linework, the manuscript on a pink lotus pedestal, slender sages seated in semicircle, soft Himalayan greens and cool blues, refined faces, a translucent vision of Nārāyaṇa in the sky-lotus, lyrical trees and a small stream nearby.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, flat natural pigments, manuscript-lotus icon centered with large expressive eyes subtly suggested in the divine aura, sages with stylized features, red-yellow-green palette, temple-wall symmetry, lamp flames and incense rendered as rhythmic curves.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus pedestal holding the Purāṇa, surrounded by concentric lotus borders and floral vines, peacocks at corners, deep blue ground with gold detailing, a small Nārāyaṇa medallion above, intricate garlands and symmetrical decorative motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft tanpura drone","incense crackle","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: परम् च धर्मम् परमम् यशः च त्वाम् आहुः अग्र्यम् परमम् पुराणम् । परम् च सत्यम् परमम् तपः च परम् पवित्रम् परमम् च मार्गम् । (यशश्च = यशः+च; त्वामाहुः = त्वाम्+आहुः; आहुरग्र्यं = आहुः+अग्र्यम्; तपश्च = तपः+च)
FAQs
The verse praises the Purāṇa itself (as a sacred authority), describing it as the highest dharma, truth, austerity, purifier, and spiritual path.
It presents them as unified in the sacred text: the Purāṇa is not only a source of dharma and truth but also functions like tapas (discipline) by transforming the reader and purifying conduct.
That genuine spiritual guidance should elevate righteousness (dharma), commitment to truth (satya), disciplined practice (tapas), and purification—leading one toward the highest path.