Shloka 63
Supremacy of Hari-Bhakti in Kali-yuga; Warnings on Sensual Attachment; Praise of Brāhmaṇas, Purāṇa-Listening, and Gaṅgā
श्रोतव्यमनिशं पुंभिः पुराणं कृष्णरूपिणम् । विष्णुभक्तेन शांतेन श्रोतव्यमपि दुर्लभम्
śrotavyamaniśaṃ puṃbhiḥ purāṇaṃ kṛṣṇarūpiṇam | viṣṇubhaktena śāṃtena śrotavyamapi durlabham
Die Menschen sollen dieses Purāṇa unablässig hören, das die Gestalt Kṛṣṇas selbst ist. Doch es recht zu vernehmen—von einem friedvollen Verehrer Viṣṇus—ist wahrlich selten.
Unspecified (contextual narrator within Svargakhaṇḍa; exact dialogue pair not provided in the input)
Concept: Constant listening to the Purāṇa—understood as Kṛṣṇa’s very form—is enjoined; yet true hearing in the presence of a शांत Vaiṣṇava is rare and precious.
Application: Seek calm, non-sectarian, disciplined teachers and communities; prioritize steady listening over sporadic consumption; cultivate śānti (non-reactivity) to receive kathā deeply.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a quiet hermitage courtyard, a peaceful Vaiṣṇava devotee recites from the Purāṇa; the manuscript’s letters shimmer and briefly take the form of Kṛṣṇa’s silhouette, suggesting the text is Kṛṣṇa-rūpa. A small circle of listeners sits with folded hands, their faces softened by inner calm, while the surrounding world fades into gentle stillness.","primary_figures":["Kṛṣṇa (as subtle presence emerging from scripture)","a śānta Viṣṇu-bhakta reciter","attentive listeners"],"setting":"Hermitage or temple courtyard with a Tulasi planter nearby (as an optional contextual prop), a low wooden seat for the reciter, and a simple lamp; minimal distractions to emphasize śānti.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["peacock blue","butter yellow","leaf green","clay brown","soft white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central reciter with palm-leaf Purāṇa on a pedestal; from the manuscript rises a gold-leaf aura forming Kṛṣṇa’s outline with flute; listeners in devotional posture; ornate borders, rich reds/greens, gem-studded ornaments on the subtle Kṛṣṇa form, lamp-lit highlights and heavy gold embossing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tranquil satsang under a tree with delicate foliage; Kṛṣṇa’s presence suggested as a faint blue silhouette in the air above the open manuscript; cool palette, refined faces, lyrical naturalism, gentle dappled light, minimalistic sacred objects.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined reciter and listeners; open manuscript emitting stylized rays that form Kṛṣṇa’s face and flute; strong red/yellow/green with peacock-blue accents; temple-wall symmetry, lotus and conch motifs framing the satsang.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Kṛṣṇa-centered composition where the Purāṇa rests on a lotus pedestal; intricate floral borders, peacocks, lotuses, and cows at margins; deep blues and gold; the satsang circle rendered as devotional vignettes around the central Kṛṣṇa-rūpa scripture."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft tanpura","gentle hand cymbals (very light)","birds","temple bell (single, occasional)","long pauses of silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śrotavyamaniśaṃ = śrotavyam + aniśam; śrotavyamapi = śrotavyam + api.
FAQs
It recommends continual listening (śravaṇa) to the Purāṇa, treating it as Kṛṣṇa’s own embodiment.
Because truly hearing in the intended way—through the disposition of a tranquil (śānta) Viṣṇu-bhakta—is uncommon.
Scriptural study is not merely informational; it is meant to be received with devotion to Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa and inner calm, which makes the hearing transformative.