Shloka 3
Origin of Suvrata
Boon, Sacred Ford, and the Birth Narrative
सोमशर्मोवाच । प्रथमं देहि मे कृष्ण वरमेकं सुवाञ्छितम् । सुप्रसन्नेन मनसा यद्यस्ति सुदया मम
somaśarmovāca | prathamaṃ dehi me kṛṣṇa varamekaṃ suvāñchitam | suprasannena manasā yadyasti sudayā mama
സോമശർമ പറഞ്ഞു—ഹേ കൃഷ്ണാ! ആദ്യം എനിക്ക് അത്യന്തം ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്ന ഒരു വരം ദയചെയ്യുക; എനിക്കു മേൽ കരുണയോടെ, പൂർണ്ണ പ്രസന്നമനസ്സോടെ ഇരുന്നാൽ.
Somaśarmā
Concept: Grace (prasāda) is sought through humble, heartfelt petition; the devotee approaches Bhagavān as the ultimate giver of boons.
Application: Begin any major life request with inner alignment: calm the mind, cultivate sincerity, and ask for what supports dharma rather than mere desire.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A humble brāhmaṇa devotee, Somaśarmā, stands with folded palms before Kṛṣṇa, his face lifted in earnest request. Kṛṣṇa’s expression is serene and compassionate, suggesting a mind ‘fully pleased’ that is ready to grant a boon; the air feels still, as if the moment is suspended between prayer and blessing.","primary_figures":["Somaśarmā","Kṛṣṇa"],"setting":"Temple courtyard or sacred grove with a small altar, tulasī planter nearby, and a faint suggestion of conch and lamp stands.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","gold leaf","sandalwood beige","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Kṛṣṇa standing in tribhaṅga with gold-leaf halo and gem-studded crown, right hand in varada-mudrā; Somaśarmā kneeling with añjali; ornate arch (prabhāvali), deep red and green drapery, thick gold embellishment, temple lamps and a small tulasī pot in the foreground.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate devotional scene in a quiet courtyard, Kṛṣṇa with delicate features and soft blue complexion, Somaśarmā in white with a simple sacred thread; fine linework, muted greens and cool blues, flowering vines, gentle hills in the distance, lyrical stillness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Kṛṣṇa with large expressive eyes and elaborate ornaments, warm red-yellow-green palette; Somaśarmā in reverent posture; stylized temple pillars, oil lamps, and decorative floral borders typical of mural panels.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Kṛṣṇa as Srinathji-like presence with rich textile patterns, lotus motifs and ornate borders; devotee at the base offering prayer; peacocks and floral creepers framing the scene, deep indigo background with gold highlights."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft tanpura drone","conch shell (distant)","lamp crackle","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सोमशर्मोवाच = सोमशर्मा + उवाच; वरमेकम् = वरम् + एकम्; यद्यस्ति = यदि + अस्ति। सुप्रसन्नेन मनसा इति द्वाभ्याम् तृतीयाभ्याम् साधन-भावः (instrumental of manner).
FAQs
The speaker is Somaśarmā, and he addresses his request to Kṛṣṇa, asking for a boon.
It models devotional petition: the devotee approaches Kṛṣṇa directly, appealing to divine compassion (sudayā) and favor (suprasanna), reflecting a personal, grace-centered relationship.
The verse implies humility and respectful speech—asking for “one desired boon” while acknowledging that fulfillment depends on the deity’s gracious disposition rather than entitlement.