Shloka 152
The Five Great Sacrifices: Supremacy of Honoring Parents, Pativrata Dharma, Truthfulness, and Śrāddha
अपश्यत्तं द्विजं विष्णुं तिष्ठंतं पद्मतल्पके । शिरसैव प्रवंद्याथ जग्राह चरणौ मुदा
apaśyattaṃ dvijaṃ viṣṇuṃ tiṣṭhaṃtaṃ padmatalpake | śirasaiva pravaṃdyātha jagrāha caraṇau mudā
Er erblickte jenen Zweimalgeborenen — Viṣṇu —, wie er auf einer Lotosstätte stand. Nur mit dem Haupt verneigend, umfasste er freudig die Füße des Herrn.
Narrator (contextual Purana narration; specific dialogue pair not explicit in this single verse)
Concept: True recognition culminates in embodied reverence—bowing and taking the Lord’s feet with joy.
Application: Cultivate a daily gesture of humility—mentally bow at the Lord’s feet, offer gratitude, and let joy arise from service (seva) rather than egoic achievement.
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside the sanctum, Viṣṇu stands upon a resplendent lotus-couch, serene and radiant, as if the lotus itself is a throne of living light. The devotee, overwhelmed, bows deeply and clasps the Lord’s feet with trembling joy, tears catching the lamplight.","primary_figures":["Vishnu","Devotee/seeker","Temple attendants (optional)"],"setting":"Inner sanctum with lotus-carved pedestal, garlands, conch and discus motifs, brass lamps, faint incense haze; the lotus-couch blooms beneath Viṣṇu’s feet.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","pearl white","antique gold","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Viṣṇu standing on a lavish lotus-couch within a sanctum; heavy gold leaf halo and ornate arch (prabhāvali), gem-studded crown and jewelry; the devotee at the base clasping the feet; rich crimson and green textiles, raised gilded lotus petals, symmetrical lamp stands framing the scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate sanctum interior with delicate brushwork; Viṣṇu on a soft pink lotus pedestal, calm face and refined features; the devotee kneels, hands at the feet; subtle gradients of light, lyrical incense smoke, cool shadows and gentle gold accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized lotus pedestal, Viṣṇu with characteristic large eyes and elaborate ornaments; the devotee in prostration; warm red/yellow background with green borders; radiating aura rendered in concentric bands around the deity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: lotus-throne scene with dense floral borders; deep blue field with gold highlights; lotuses cascading around the pedestal; peacocks and stylized lamps in the margins; Viṣṇu central, the devotee at the feet, intricate textile-like patterning throughout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["single temple bell strike","soft conch shell","low humming (tanpura)","incense crackle","silence after the bow"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अपश्यत्तम् = अपश्यत् + तम्; शिरसैव = शिरसा + एव; प्रवंद्याथ = प्रवन्द्य + अथ.
FAQs
The verse highlights reverential bowing and taking hold of the Lord’s feet—classic bodily expressions of bhakti (devotion) and surrender.
It depicts Vishnu associated with a lotus-couch or lotus-seat, a symbolic setting emphasizing purity, cosmic order, and divine majesty.
It teaches humility and joyful reverence before the divine—approaching God with respect (bowing) and affectionate surrender (clasping the feet).