Shloka 30
यमदूताः पलायंते सिंहं दृष्ट्वा यथा गजाः । श्रेष्ठं विष्णुव्रतं विप्र तत्तुल्या न शतं मखाः
yamadūtāḥ palāyaṃte siṃhaṃ dṛṣṭvā yathā gajāḥ | śreṣṭhaṃ viṣṇuvrataṃ vipra tattulyā na śataṃ makhāḥ
象が獅子を見て逃げ去るように、ヤマの使者もまた退き散る。婆羅門よ、ヴィシュヌの誓戒は最上であり、百の供犠（マカ）もそれに及ばない。
Unspecified (narrative speaker within Brahma-khaṇḍa context; exact dialogue pair not provided in input)
Concept: Viṣṇu-vrata grants supreme spiritual protection; its merit surpasses even large-scale Vedic sacrifices when performed with devotion.
Application: Choose a consistent Viṣṇu-centered discipline (Ekādaśī, Kārttika-niyama, nāma-japa) and rely on it as moral compass and inner refuge rather than mere status rituals.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dramatic cosmic tableau: Yama’s dark, stern messengers recoil and scatter as a radiant aura of Viṣṇu-vrata blazes around a calm devotee. The devotee stands like a lion of faith, while the Yamadūtas—shadowy figures with nooses—flee into a stormy horizon, overwhelmed by divine protection.","primary_figures":["Kārttika/Viṣṇu-vrata devotee","Yamadūtas (messengers of Yama)","a luminous presence of Viṣṇu (aura or partial epiphany)"],"setting":"Threshold between earthly realm and a shadowed otherworldly path; hints of cremation-ground symbolism subdued by divine radiance; distant silhouette of Yama’s city implied.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["electric sapphire","smoky charcoal","molten gold","crimson glow","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central devotee encircled by a gold-leaf mandala of Viṣṇu’s protection, Yamadūtas rendered in darker tones fleeing at the edges, ornate gold embellishment on the protective aura, rich reds/greens framing the scene, traditional iconographic hints of Viṣṇu’s conch and discus appearing as radiant symbols in the halo.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: dynamic diagonal composition with delicate brushwork—shadowy Yamadūtas retreating into misty hills, the devotee serene and luminous, cool blues contrasted with smoky greys, refined faces and expressive movement, subtle celestial motifs in the sky.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and high-contrast pigments, the devotee’s aura as a circular yellow-gold field, Yamadūtas stylized with dramatic gestures, temple-wall aesthetic, strong reds and greens with deep blue highlights for Viṣṇu’s protective presence.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic devotional scene—central blue-gold aura with lotus and chakra motifs, Yamadūtas as patterned dark silhouettes at the border fleeing outward, intricate floral frames, deep blues and gold, sacred geometry emphasizing the supremacy of Viṣṇu-vrata."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","thunder rumble","temple drums (mridanga)","sudden silence","wind"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्तुल्याः = तत् + तुल्याः.
FAQs
It teaches the supremacy of a Viṣṇu-centered vow (viṣṇu-vrata): sincere devotional observance is presented as more spiritually potent than even numerous ritual sacrifices.
The imagery suggests that devotion to Viṣṇu (expressed through viṣṇu-vrata) places a person beyond the fearful reach of Yama’s punitive agents—like elephants retreating from a lion.
It emphasizes prioritizing inner devotion and disciplined religious practice over mere ritual quantity—valuing transformative commitment (vrata) above external ceremonial accumulation (many yajñas).