Shloka 197
Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
कार्तिकेय उवाच । भगवन्श्रोतुमिच्छामि वक्त्रे वक्त्रे यथाविधि । न्यसनं केन मंत्रेण धारणं वा कथं वद
kārtikeya uvāca | bhagavanśrotumicchāmi vaktre vaktre yathāvidhi | nyasanaṃ kena maṃtreṇa dhāraṇaṃ vā kathaṃ vada
Kārtikeya said: “O Lord, I wish to hear—according to the proper procedure—for each ‘mouth’ (each face): by which mantra is nyāsa to be performed, and how is dhāraṇā to be done? Please tell me.”
Kārtikeya
Concept: Sacred practice requires vidhi (proper procedure) and transmission; mantra, nyāsa, and dhāraṇā are not casual but disciplined.
Application: Before adopting any spiritual practice, learn the method from a competent source; do fewer practices but do them correctly and consistently.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Kārtikeya, youthful yet austere, stands with folded hands before Īśvara in a quiet teaching grove. His six-faced iconography is hinted through a subtle halo of six radiating facets, while palm-leaf manuscripts and a rosary rest nearby, signaling the coming instruction on nyāsa and dhāraṇā.","primary_figures":["Kārtikeya (Ṣaṇmukha)","Īśvara (Śiva)"],"setting":"Forest āśrama clearing with a small altar, kusa grass seat, and a hanging rudrākṣa mala; distant mountain silhouette.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["ash white","sandalwood beige","peacock green","vermillion","smoky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Kārtikeya with a serene youthful face and subtle six-rayed prabhāmaṇḍala stands in añjali before Śiva seated on a tiger-skin, gold leaf halo and ornate arch, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, rudrākṣa mala highlighted with embossed gold, traditional South Indian iconography, temple-like framing with lotus borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a lyrical Himalayan forest āśrama scene, delicate brushwork, cool greens and blues, Śiva teaching from a kusa seat, Kārtikeya attentive with refined facial features, small details like palm-leaf folios and a rudrākṣa rosary, distant mountains and a thin stream, soft atmospheric perspective.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, natural pigments, Śiva in calm teaching posture with vibhūti markings, Kārtikeya in respectful stance, stylized foliage and temple-wall aesthetic, characteristic large eyes, red/yellow/green palette with rhythmic ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional instructional tableau framed by intricate floral borders and lotus motifs, central figures Śiva and Kārtikeya, peacocks perched on vines, deep indigo background with gold detailing, rosary and sacred symbols rendered as decorative motifs, Nathdwara-like ornamental density."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["forest birds","soft temple bell","gentle wind","beads faintly clicking"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भगवन्श्रोतुमिच्छामि→भगवन् श्रोतुम् इच्छामि (न्+श; पदसन्धि); यथाविधि→यथा विधि (अव्ययीभाववत् प्रयोग/समासार्थ); मंत्रेण→मन्त्रेण (अनुस्वार-लेखनभेद).
FAQs
It asks which specific mantra should be used to perform nyāsa (ritual placement of mantra) and how the practice should be carried out correctly.
Literally “in each mouth/face,” it commonly indicates “for each face/aspect” in multi-faced deity contexts, meaning the procedure may vary for each aspect.
The emphasis is on yathāvidhi—performing spiritual practice with proper method, discipline, and respect for prescribed tradition rather than casually or incorrectly.