Shloka 143
Rudra’s Removal of Brahmahatyā; Kapālamocana and Avimukta Māhātmya; Origins of Nara and Karṇa
link to Arjuna/Karna query
शुभं सदा स्तौमि महानुभावं सहस्रमूर्द्धानमनेकपादम् । अनंतबाहुं शशिसूर्यनेत्रं क्षराक्षरं क्षीरसमुद्रनिद्रम्
śubhaṃ sadā staumi mahānubhāvaṃ sahasramūrddhānamanekapādam | anaṃtabāhuṃ śaśisūryanetraṃ kṣarākṣaraṃ kṣīrasamudranidram
Alabo siempre a ese Señor auspicioso y magnánimo—de mil cabezas y muchos pies, de brazos infinitos, con la luna y el sol por ojos; Aquel que es lo perecedero y lo imperecedero, que reposa sobre el Océano de Leche.
Unspecified (a devotee/narrator offering stuti to Viṣṇu)
Concept: The Lord is the cosmic Puruṣa—thousand-headed, all-limbed, sun-and-moon-eyed—encompassing both perishable and imperishable, and sustaining the cosmos in serene yogic repose.
Application: Contemplate the world as pervaded by the divine—practice reverence toward beings and nature; when overwhelmed, remember the ‘ocean-sleep’ image: the Lord holds the cosmos in calm mastery.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Viṣṇu reclines upon Śeṣa in the Ocean of Milk, the waves rendered like luminous white silk, while His cosmic form subtly expands—countless heads fading into the starry vault and endless arms reaching into the horizons. The sun and moon gleam as His eyes, casting a balanced light over the tranquil ocean, suggesting both awe-inspiring immensity and deep auspicious peace.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇu (Kṣīrasamudra-nidra)","Śeṣa/Ananta","Lakṣmī (optional, attending)"],"setting":"Kṣīrasamudra with a celestial horizon; distant hints of Vaikuṇṭha-like architecture or floating lotuses.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["milk white","lapis blue","moon silver","sun gold","coral pink"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Viṣṇu reclining on Ananta over stylized milky waves, gold-leaf background with embossed star motifs; sun and moon as radiant eye-symbols, Lakṣmī at His feet, rich reds/greens in textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch framing the cosmic expanse.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene ocean rendered with fine ripples, Viṣṇu on Śeṣa with delicate shading; the thousand-head motif suggested by repeating faint halos behind His crown, cool blues and silvers, lyrical clouds, refined facial features and gentle devotional intimacy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined reclining Viṣṇu on coiled Śeṣa, milky ocean as patterned white bands; large expressive eyes with sun-moon symbolism, natural pigments (indigo, ochre, green), temple-wall symmetry and iconic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central reclining Viṣṇu on Śeṣa amid lotus-filled milky waters; ornate floral borders, peacocks and lotuses as decorative motifs, deep blue field with gold highlights, symmetrical devotional composition emphasizing auspiciousness (śubham)."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","ocean-like white noise","deep drone","soft cymbals"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सहस्रमूर्द्धानमनेकपादम् → सहस्रमूर्द्धानम् + अनेकपादम्.
FAQs
The verse praises Viṣṇu/Nārāyaṇa, described with cosmic attributes (many heads, feet, and arms) and specifically as reclining on the Ocean of Milk (kṣīra-samudra).
It presents the Lord as encompassing both changing, manifest reality (kṣara) and the unchanging, transcendent principle (akṣara), indicating His all-inclusive nature.
It evokes the iconic Vaiṣṇava image of Nārāyaṇa in yogic repose (nidra) on the cosmic waters, linking creation theology (Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa) with devotion through visual and doctrinal symbolism.