Shloka 73
Sumanā and Somaśarmā: Tapas at the Kapilā–Revā Confluence and the Theophany of Hari
न चैव स्तोतुं सर्वज्ञस्तथा रुद्र सःहस्रदृक् । वक्तुं को हि समर्थस्तु कीदृशी मे मतिर्विभो
na caiva stotuṃ sarvajñastathā rudra saḥhasradṛk | vaktuṃ ko hi samarthastu kīdṛśī me matirvibho
Même l’Omniscient — Rudra lui-même, aux mille yeux — ne peut Te louer pleinement. Qui donc serait capable de dire Ta grandeur ? Quelle intelligence ai-je, ô Seigneur qui pénètres tout ?
Unspecified (context needed to identify the speaker in the dialogue)
Concept: The Lord’s greatness is inexhaustible; even the highest devas cannot fully praise Him—therefore the devotee’s humility and surrender are the proper stance.
Application: Cultivate humility in prayer: offer praise without ego, accept the limits of speech, and let devotion be sincere rather than performative.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lone brāhmaṇa-devotee stands with folded hands before a vast, all-pervading Keśava whose form expands into the cosmos—stars, directions, and the ocean of milk. In the background, Rudra and Indra appear as radiant yet humbled witnesses, their hands also joined, signifying that even the greatest cannot exhaust the Lord’s praise.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇu (Keśava)","a brāhmaṇa devotee","Rudra (Śiva)","Indra (Sahasrākṣa)"],"setting":"Cosmic-temple space blending a sanctum with the universe: a lotus pedestal, faint Vaikuṇṭha architecture, and a horizon of galaxies and clouds.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","gold leaf","pearl white","deep emerald"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Keśava as a monumental central icon on a lotus throne, haloed with thick gold leaf and embossed prabhāmaṇḍala; the brāhmaṇa devotee small at His feet in añjali; Rudra and Indra at the sides as reverent attendants; rich vermilion and emerald background, gem-studded ornaments, conch and discus gleaming, temple-arch framing with intricate gold filigree.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a lyrical cosmic landscape where Viṣṇu’s blue form subtly merges with sky and distant mountains; delicate faces, fine linework; the devotee in white dhoti near a lotus pond; Rudra and Indra rendered softly in the background; cool blues and greens with gentle pink lotuses, airy composition and refined ornamentation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments; Viṣṇu with large expressive eyes, elaborate crown, conch and discus; the devotee in añjali; Rudra and Indra as stylized divine figures; warm red and yellow backdrop with green borders, temple-wall aesthetic and symmetrical composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Vishnu-centered composition with lotus motifs and ornate floral borders; Keśava standing on a lotus with conch and discus; the devotee below offering stuti; peacocks and stylized clouds; deep indigo ground with gold highlights, intricate patterning reminiscent of Nathdwara textiles (adapted to Vishnu iconography)."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell (soft, distant)","silence between phrases","low drone (tanpura)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: caiva = ca + eva (vowel sandhi). sahasradṛk corresponds to printed saḥhasradṛk; normalize as sahasra-dṛk (bahuvrīhi).
FAQs
It expresses theological humility: if even Rudra, described as all-knowing and “thousand-eyed,” cannot adequately praise the Lord, then an ordinary devotee’s capacity to describe that greatness is far smaller.
“Sahasra-dṛk” is an epithet indicating extraordinary, all-seeing perception. The verse uses it to heighten the contrast: even one famed for vast vision and knowledge cannot fully encompass the Lord’s greatness.
It teaches modesty in speech and devotion—recognizing the limits of one’s intellect while still offering praise, which is a hallmark of bhakti-oriented stuti literature.