Shloka 50
The Account and Merit of Śivadūtī
with the Nāga-tīrtha at Puṣkara
स देवः पुष्करस्थो वै यज्ञं यजति सांप्रतम् । गत्वा प्रसादयामस्तं वरं तुष्टः प्रदास्यति
sa devaḥ puṣkarastho vai yajñaṃ yajati sāṃpratam | gatvā prasādayāmastaṃ varaṃ tuṣṭaḥ pradāsyati
That deity, residing at Puṣkara, is presently performing a yajña. Let us go and propitiate him; when pleased, he will grant a boon.
Unspecified narrator/speaker (context needed to identify the dialogue pair precisely)
Concept: Approach the sacred locus where the deity is actively worshipped; sincere propitiation at a tīrtha aligned with the deity’s līlā yields grace and boons.
Application: When seeking resolution, go to the ‘place of practice’: a temple, a teacher, a disciplined routine—show up consistently and ask with sincerity.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On the banks of Puṣkara’s sacred lake, Brahmā conducts a grand yajña: fire altar blazing, priests chanting, and offerings rising as fragrant smoke. In the foreground, nāgas approach in a respectful line, their jeweled hoods lowered, carrying lotus garlands and water pots, hope replacing fear.","primary_figures":["Brahmā","Nāgas","Vedic ṛtviks (priests)","Agni (sacrificial fire personified, optional)"],"setting":"Puṣkara tīrtha with lake ghats, distant Aravalli hills, a yajña-vedi near the water, and ritual paraphernalia (kuśa grass, ladles, kalashas).","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["flame orange","sandalwood beige","sapphire blue","marigold yellow","jade green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Brahmā at the yajña-vedi beside Puṣkara lake, gold leaf flames and halo, richly patterned priest garments; nāgas with gem-studded hoods offering lotus garlands; ornate arch border, deep reds/greens with embossed gold detailing on vessels and ornaments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene lakeside yajña with delicate smoke curls, cool blue water, soft Aravalli silhouettes; nāgas rendered with lyrical grace, refined faces, and subtle scale patterns; fine detailing on kuśa grass and ritual tools.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold-lined yajña scene with stylized fire altar, Brahmā frontal with iconic eyes, nāgas in rhythmic procession; warm earthy pigments, temple-wall aesthetic, simplified yet powerful ritual geometry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Puṣkara lake framed by lotus borders; central yajña fire with symmetrical attendants; nāgas as devotional figures offering lotuses; deep blue ground, gold highlights, intricate floral motifs and repeating kalasha patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["Vedic chant cadence","crackling fire","conch shell at intervals","lake water lapping","temple bells"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: puṣkarastho = puṣkara-sthaḥ; prasādayāmastaṃ = prasādayāmaḥ tam; c. future pradāsyati.
FAQs
It highlights Puṣkara as a sacred locus where divine worship and yajña are actively present, reinforcing the Purāṇic idea that specific places are spiritually charged and suited for ritual merit.
Even in a ritual setting (yajña), the verse stresses personal propitiation—going to the deity and pleasing him—implying devotion and seeking divine grace as the means to obtain a boon.
It teaches purposeful action and reverence: approach the sacred with humility and sincerity, and seek outcomes (boons) through pleasing the divine rather than through force or entitlement.