Shloka 16
The Account of King Bhadreśvara
Sun-worship, healing, and heavenly ascent
महिषीभिस्तथा चार्घो भोगिनीभिः समंततः । सर्वैरंतःपुरस्थैश्च सपत्नीकैश्च रक्षिभिः
mahiṣībhistathā cārgho bhoginībhiḥ samaṃtataḥ | sarvairaṃtaḥpurasthaiśca sapatnīkaiśca rakṣibhiḥ
Und die Argha — die zeremonielle Gabe der Ehrfurcht — wurde von den Königinnen und den edlen Damen ringsum dargebracht, ebenso von allen Frauen des inneren Palastes und von den Wachen zusammen mit ihren Ehefrauen.
Narrator (context not explicit in the single verse excerpt; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue framework of the Padma Purāṇa)
Concept: Ritual honor (argha) offered with collective sincerity sustains auspicious order and invites divine protection.
Application: Cultivate daily gestures of respect—offering water, hospitality, and gratitude—especially as a family/community practice.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a serene royal antaḥpura, queens and noble ladies stand in a semicircle holding golden arghya vessels with water, flowers, and sandal paste. Palace guards with their wives form a respectful outer ring, creating a layered tableau of protection and devotion as the offering is presented with quiet dignity.","primary_figures":["queens (mahiṣīs)","noble ladies (bhoginīs)","inner-palace women","palace guards with wives","the honored recipient (king or revered guest, implied)"],"setting":"inner palace hall with carved pillars, lotus motifs, incense braziers, and a low ritual platform with kalasha and flower trays","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lotus pink","sandalwood beige","antique gold","deep maroon","peacock green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: an inner-palace arghya ceremony with queens in rich silk sarees offering golden arghya bowls, ornate pillars and lotus arches, heavy gold leaf halos around the honored central figure (implied), gem-studded jewelry, deep reds and greens, embossed gold detailing on vessels and borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined palace interior with delicate linework, queens and attendants in pastel garments offering arghya, lyrical symmetry, soft shading, patterned carpets, gentle facial expressions, cool palette accents, fine floral borders and miniature-scale ritual objects.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, stylized queens and guards in frontal grace, natural pigment reds/yellows/greens, lamp-lit palace hall with lotus medallions, arghya vessels emphasized with rhythmic ornament, large expressive eyes and temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ceremonial offering scene framed by intricate lotus and creeper borders, gold and deep blue background, attendants arranged like a devotional mandala, arghya vessels surrounded by floral motifs, peacocks at the margins, Nathdwara-inspired ornamentation even if the subject is royal."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft anklets","temple bells","incense crackle","murmured blessings","silence between offerings"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चार्घो = च + अर्घः; सर्वैरंतःपुरस्थैश्च = सर्वैः + अन्तःपुरस्थैः + च; सपत्नीकैश्च = सपत्नीकेः + च (IAST 'sapatnīkaiśca' reflects visarga/sandhi).
FAQs
Argha is a formal, respectful offering—often water with auspicious items—presented to honor a guest, deity, or revered person as part of traditional reception rites.
It depicts a full ceremonial reception involving the entire royal household—women of the inner apartments and even the protective staff (with their families)—emphasizing collective honor and public respect.
Indirectly, yes: it highlights the dharmic value of honoring worthy guests or revered figures through proper hospitality and communal participation.