Shloka 43
Pilgrimage Sequence on Sacred Fords (Narmadā Region): Bhṛgu-tīrtha, Śiva-vratas, and Merit Amplification
अलीकाभिमानदग्धं क्षणभंगुरविभवविलसितं देव । क्रूरं कुपथाभिमुखं पतितं मां त्राहि देवेश
alīkābhimānadagdhaṃ kṣaṇabhaṃguravibhavavilasitaṃ deva | krūraṃ kupathābhimukhaṃ patitaṃ māṃ trāhi deveśa
O Deva, ich bin vom falschen Stolz versengt, geblendet vom Spiel vergänglichen, zerbrechlichen Wohlstands; ich bin grausam, dem Irrweg zugewandt und gefallen—o Herr der Götter, rette mich.
A repentant devotee (supplicant) addressing the Lord (Deva/Deveśa)
Concept: False pride and the glitter of impermanent prosperity lead to cruelty and wrong paths; rescue lies in surrender to the Lord of gods.
Application: Practice daily ‘impermanence reflection’ (anitya-bhāvanā) to soften pride; convert status-seeking into service and generosity.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fallen figure stands amid collapsing palatial splendor—cracked pillars, scattered jewels, and fading banners—while a dark flame of ‘false pride’ rises from the chest like smoke. Above, the Lord of gods appears serene, extending a lotus-hand; as the devotee reaches out, the smoke transforms into a garland of humility and the ruins soften into a simple hermitage path.","primary_figures":["Vishnu (or a supreme Deva/Deveśa form)","repentant devotee","personified Ahaṅkāra (as a smoky flame)"],"setting":"A ruined palace courtyard transitioning into a quiet forest path, symbolizing turning from kṣaṇa-bhaṅgura vibhava to sādhana.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["silver moonlight","ashen gray","royal purple (fading)","saffron glow","deep blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Deveśa with gold-leaf halo and ornate crown; below, a penitent amid broken palace motifs and spilled gems; a stylized smoky ‘ahaṅkāra’ flame rising, being calmed by the deity’s lotus-hand; rich vermilion and emerald accents, gold embossing on ornaments and architectural arch, devotional symmetry emphasizing rescue.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: moonlit courtyard with delicate ruins; the devotee’s posture shows shame and longing; the Lord appears in a soft cloud vignette; the pride-smoke rendered as thin ink wash dissolving into a flower garland, cool palette, refined faces, lyrical transition into a forest trail.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines show the devotee with a dark red-black pride-flame; the deity above in calm green-blue tones; palace fragments stylized; a bright yellow-white blessing stream converts the flame into a floral motif, temple-wall composition with rhythmic ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central deity with ornate lotus border; lower register shows fading opulence motifs (jewels turning into petals) and the devotee reaching upward; deep indigo background, gold highlights, intricate floral vines symbolizing humility replacing pride."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft mridangam (slow)","temple bells (occasional)","night breeze"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: alīkābhimānadagdhaṃ → alīka-abhimāna-dagdham; kṣaṇabhaṃguravibhavavilasitaṃ → kṣaṇa-bhaṅgura-vibhava-vilasitam; kupathābhimukhaṃ → ku-patha-abhimukham; deveśa → deva-īśa.
FAQs
It is a confession of moral and spiritual fall—caused by false pride and attachment to fleeting prosperity—followed by surrender (śaraṇāgati) and a plea for divine protection.
By directly addressing the Lord as 'Deveśa' and seeking refuge despite one’s faults, it highlights humility, self-awareness, and dependence on divine grace—core features of bhakti.
It warns that worldly vibhava (prosperity/power) is kṣaṇa-bhaṅgura (momentary) and can fuel ego and cruelty; the remedy is turning away from the wrong path and seeking higher guidance.