Shloka 12
The Glory of Prayāga
Mahātmyā of the Confluence
ऋषिभिः क्रतवः प्रोक्ता देवैश्चापि यथाक्रमम् । न हि शक्या दरिद्रेण यज्ञाः प्राप्तुं महीपते
ṛṣibhiḥ kratavaḥ proktā devaiścāpi yathākramam | na hi śakyā daridreṇa yajñāḥ prāptuṃ mahīpate
ઋષિઓએ અને દેવોએ પણ ક્રમ પ્રમાણે ક્રતુઓ (યજ્ઞવિધિઓ) નિર્ધારિત કર્યા છે। હે મહીપતે, દરિદ્ર મનુષ્ય માટે યજ્ઞો કરવું અને પૂર્ણ કરવું ખરેખર શક્ય નથી।
Unspecified (narrative voice addressing a king: 'mahīpate')
Concept: Vedic sacrifices are orderly and authoritative, yet materially difficult for the poor—hinting that alternative meritorious paths must exist.
Application: Avoid judging spirituality by expense; choose practices available to all—truthfulness, japa, simple offerings, service, and tīrtha with humility.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal court scene where a sage explains to a thoughtful king that grand yajñas demand costly materials. In the background, a poor but devout householder watches from the edge, hands folded, conveying the tension between aspiration and means.","primary_figures":["sage (ṛṣi)","king (mahīpati)","poor devotee/householder"],"setting":"palace hall opening to a yajña-śālā with stacked ritual vessels, ladles, and heaps of offerings","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["burnished gold","smoke-gray","sandalwood beige","crimson","peacock blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: palace court with the king on a jeweled throne listening to a sage; behind them a richly decorated yajña-śālā with golden vessels, ghee pots, and ritual implements; gold leaf on ornaments and pillars, deep red drapery, emerald accents, and a humble poor devotee at the margin rendered with dignified simplicity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate court conversation; the sage gestures toward a small illustrated yajña pavilion filled with implements; the poor devotee stands near a doorway; soft shading, delicate textiles, cool architectural lines, and a restrained palette emphasizing quiet compassion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal figures with bold outlines; the sage’s teaching hand raised, the king attentive; stylized yajña implements arranged in rhythmic patterns; warm ochres and reds, green borders, lamp motifs, and a subdued figure of the poor devotee to highlight accessibility concerns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition—yajña implements arranged like floral mandalas around a central teaching scene; ornate borders of lotuses and creepers; deep blue background with gold detailing; devotional emphasis on the heart over expense."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low ritual drum (mṛdaṅga)","crackling fire","soft court ambience","temple bells in distance"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: देवैः + च + अपि → देवैश्चापि; यथा + क्रमम् → यथाक्रमम् (अव्ययीभाव)
FAQs
Because Vedic yajñas typically require materials, offerings, and patronage; the verse acknowledges that economic limitation can make formal ritual performance impracticable.
Kratu refers to an organized sacrificial rite—often a formally prescribed Vedic sacrifice—arranged in a recognized sequence and procedure.
It suggests rulers should recognize material constraints in religious life and support dharmic practice without making ritual obligation oppressive for those with fewer resources.