Shloka 82
Brahmā’s Puṣkara Sacrifice: Kokāmukha Tīrtha, Varāha’s Aid, and the Arrival of Gāyatrī
गंधर्वाप्सरसश्चैव मुनयो वेदपारगाः । पश्चिमां दिशमास्थाय स्थितास्तत्र महाक्रतौ
gaṃdharvāpsarasaścaiva munayo vedapāragāḥ | paścimāṃ diśamāsthāya sthitāstatra mahākratau
There, at that great sacrificial rite, the Gandharvas and Apsarases, along with sages well-versed in the Vedas, took their place, standing in the western direction.
Unspecified narrator (contextual narration within Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गंधर्वाप्सरसः = गन्धर्व-अप्सरसः; च+एव = चैव; दिशम्+आस्थाय = दिशमास्थाय; स्थिताः+तत्र = स्थितास्तत्र; महाक्रतौ = महा-क्रतौ (कर्मधारय).
FAQs
The verse portrays a complete sacred assembly: celestial beings (Gandharvas and Apsarases) and realized human seers (munis) jointly attending a mahākratu, emphasizing that major rites are cosmic events witnessed by multiple orders of beings.
Vedic rites often assign specific quarters to specific participants and functions. Here, the western placement indicates orderly ritual arrangement and adherence to sacrificial protocol, highlighting that dharma is expressed through precise, harmonious structure.
It underscores discipline and reverence: even exalted beings and learned sages take their proper place in a sacred act. The implied lesson is humility before dharma and the importance of participating in holy actions with order and respect.