Shloka 1.16.12
पायसप्रादुर्भावः — The Manifestation of the Divine Payasa and the Avatara Resolution
तो वै यजमानस्य पावकादतुलप्रभम्।प्रादुर्भूतं महद्भूतं महावीर्यं महाबलम्।।1.16.11।। कृष्णं रक्ताम्बरधरं रक्तास्यं दुन्दुभिस्वनम्।स्निग्धहर्यक्षतनुजश्मश्रुप्रवरमूर्धजम्।।1.16.12।।शुभलक्षणसम्पन्नं दिव्याभरणभूषितम्।शैलशृङ्गसमुत्सेथं दृप्तशार्दूलविक्रमम्।।1.16.13।।दिवाकरसमाकारं दीप्तानलशिखोपमम्।तप्तजाम्बूनदमयीं राजतान्तपरिच्छदाम्।।1.16.14।।दिव्यपायससम्पूर्णां पात्रीं पत्नीमिव प्रियाम्।प्रगृह्य विपुलां दोर्भ्यां स्वयं मायामयीमिव।।1.16.15।।
kṛṣṇaṃ raktāmbaradharaṃ raktāsyaṃ dundubhisvanam |
snigdhaharyakṣatanujaśmaśrupravaramūrdhajam || 1.16.12 ||
He was dark in hue, clad in black and crimson garments, with a red face and a voice resounding like a drum; his moustache and beard were smooth and shining tawny, and his head-hair was splendid.
During the sacrifice, there emerged from the sacrificial fire a mighty being with unmatched splendour, his prowess and strength. He wore a black and crimson garment. He had a red face. His voice was similar to the sounds of a drum. He had whiskers of soft and shining tawny hair resembling the mane of a lion He had fine hair on his head. He was endowed with auspicious signs and adorned with splendid divine ornaments. His height resembled a mountain peak. He walked with the strides of a ferocious tiger. Similar to the Sun in radiance, he looked like the crest of a blazing fire. This divine being held like his beloved wife both hands, a large vessel made of gold purified, in fire, covered with a silver lid and filled with payasam (a preparation of rice in milk and sugar). It looked as though it was created by magic.
The verse supports the Ramayana theme that dharmic action—here, a properly conducted sacrifice for a legitimate aim—draws an ordered, auspicious response from the cosmos. The messenger’s majestic appearance signifies that righteous means and reverent ritual produce legitimate fruits.
During Daśaratha’s Putrakāmeṣṭi sacrifice, a wondrous being emerges from the fire. This verse focuses on his striking appearance and commanding presence.
Daśaratha’s virtue is implied rather than stated: steadfast adherence to prescribed dharmic means (ritual duty and reverence) to pursue progeny, rather than unlawful or impulsive methods.