Shloka 140
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
यः पठेच्छृणुयाद्वापि व्रतषष्ठिमनुत्तमाम् । मन्वंतरशतं सोपि गंधर्वाधिपतिर्भवेत्
yaḥ paṭhecchṛṇuyādvāpi vrataṣaṣṭhimanuttamām | manvaṃtaraśataṃ sopi gaṃdharvādhipatirbhavet
ഈ അനുത്തമ ‘വ്രത-ഷഷ്ഠി’ വായിക്കുകയോ കേൾക്കുകയോ ചെയ്യുന്നവനും നൂറ് മന്വന്തരങ്ങൾ വരെ ഗന്ധർവാധിപതിയായിരിക്കും.
Unspecified (narratorial voice within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Concept: Even hearing or reciting the account of an unsurpassed vrata (Vrata-ṣaṣṭhī) grants extraordinary, long-lasting reward.
Application: Make time for sacred listening/reading—vrata-kathā, Purāṇa recitation, or daily śāstra study; consistency in śravaṇa cultivates inner discipline and devotion.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circle of listeners sits in a quiet hall as a learned reciter chants the Vrata-ṣaṣṭhī kathā from a palm-leaf manuscript. Above them, a celestial vision unfolds: Gandharvas with vīṇās and flower garlands appear in luminous clouds, hinting at the promised lordship across vast manvantara cycles.","primary_figures":["Purāṇa reciter (paurāṇika)","devotee listeners","celestial Gandharvas (visionary)"],"setting":"Temple mandapa or hermitage hall with lamps, manuscripts, and a small altar","lighting_mood":"lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm ochre","sandalwood tan","copper gold","midnight blue","jasmine white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: paurāṇika seated on a vyāsāsana reading Vrata-ṣaṣṭhī from palm leaves, listeners with folded hands; gold leaf halos and ornate borders; upper panel shows Gandharvas with vīṇā and garlands in radiant clouds, gem-studded ornaments, rich reds and greens.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate satsang scene with delicate brushwork; soft lamplight, refined faces; translucent celestial Gandharvas in the sky with cool blues and silvers, lyrical atmosphere, minimal architecture and floral details.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, temple-wall composition; reciter and listeners in frontal iconic poses; Gandharvas in a stylized cloud band above, vivid red/yellow/green pigments, rhythmic ornamentation and patterned textiles.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central mandapa scene framed by intricate floral borders and hanging lamps; upper register filled with Gandharva musicians amid lotus motifs; deep blue ground with gold detailing, symmetrical composition, devotional ambience."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft tanpura drone","temple bells (distant)","pages/palm-leaf rustle","silence between verses"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पठेच्छृणुयाद्वापि→पठेत्+शृणुयात्+वा+अपि; षष्ठिमनुत्तमाम्→षष्ठिम्+अनुत्तमाम्; सोपि→सः+अपि; गंधर्वाधिपतिर्भवेत्→गन्धर्वाधिपतिः+भवेत्; मन्वंतर→मन्वन्तर (अनुस्वार/नकार-सन्धि)।
FAQs
The verse praises reading (paṭhana) or hearing (śravaṇa) the account of the excellent observance called Vrata-ṣaṣṭhī.
It states that the devotee attains the status of Gandharva-lord (gandharvādhipati) for a hundred Manvantaras—an immense span of cosmic time.
It emphasizes the power of śravaṇa and pāṭha—devotional listening and recitation—as accessible means to gain great merit, even without complex ritual performance.