Shloka 23
Somārcana — Worship and Pacification of Soma (Moon) within Graha-Rites
इति सोमपूजा । पित्तले भाजने कांस्ये दधिपूर्णे घृते शिवे । न्यूनोऽधिकस्तु विभवाच्छ्रुत्वा कर्मविमत्सरः
iti somapūjā | pittale bhājane kāṃsye dadhipūrṇe ghṛte śive | nyūno'dhikastu vibhavācchrutvā karmavimatsaraḥ
So ist die Verehrung Somas. In einem Messinggefäß und in einer Schale aus kāṃsya bringe man geronnene Milch dar, mit Ghee gefüllt, als glückverheißende Gabe. Weniger oder mehr richte sich nach dem Vermögen; dies vernommen, vollziehe das Ritual ohne Neid und Groll.
Unspecified (narrative/ritual instruction within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa)
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on sincerity and freedom from matsara; offerings scale with one’s means without spiritual inferiority.
Application: Give and worship without comparison; choose sustainable vows and donations, keeping mind free of resentment toward others’ capacity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A quiet domestic shrine where a devotee prepares Soma-pūjā: a brass vessel and a bell-metal bowl gleam beside a mound of white curd crowned with a swirl of ghee. A calm brāhmaṇa officiant gestures gently, teaching that the offering’s size follows one’s means, while the devotee’s face shows humility and freedom from envy.","primary_figures":["devotee (gṛhastha)","brāhmaṇa officiant","Soma (as a subtle lunar presence or emblem)"],"setting":"simple altar with ritual vessels (pittala and kāṃsya), kusa grass, small lamp, and a lunar emblem or white banner indicating Soma","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["moon-white","ghee-gold","brass amber","bell-metal gray-green","sandalwood beige"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a serene Soma-pūjā tableau with the devotee offering a brass vessel and a kāṃsya bowl filled with curd and ghee; Soma symbolized as a radiant crescent above the altar; heavy gold leaf halos and borders, rich vermilion backdrop, gem-studded ornaments on the officiant, crisp South Indian iconographic symmetry, intricate floral filigree around the vessels.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: an intimate household ritual scene—slender brass and bell-metal vessels, white curd with golden ghee, a gentle brāhmaṇa instructing non-envy; delicate brushwork, soft pastel architecture, lyrical minimalism, refined faces, cool shadows, a faint crescent moon in the sky suggesting Soma’s presence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and earthy pigments; the altar with pittala and kāṃsya vessels prominent; the devotee in añjali, the brāhmaṇa teaching; Soma indicated by a crescent and pale aura; warm lamp glow, red-ochre background, green and yellow accents, stylized eyes and ornamental borders like temple wall art.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional offering scene framed by lotus and vine borders; central altar with curd-and-ghee offering, crescent moon motif above; intricate floral patterns, deep indigo ground with gold highlights, small attendant figures and hanging lamps, symmetrical composition reminiscent of Nathdwara textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","low conch drone","soft lamp crackle","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: न्यूनोऽधिकस्तु = न्यूनः अधिकः तु; विभवाच्छ्रुत्वा = विभवात् श्रुत्वा (त् + श् → च्छ्)
FAQs
It outlines a basic procedure for Soma-worship: offering (curd with ghee) in specified metal vessels, and emphasizes that the quantity should match one’s means.
It teaches that ritual performance should be free from jealousy—one should not resent others’ larger offerings nor feel ashamed of smaller offerings.
To normalize proportional giving: the merit of worship is linked to sincerity and capacity, not competitive display, encouraging non-envious devotion.