Shloka 70
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
घृतेन स्नपनं कृत्वा शंभोर्वा केशवस्य वा । अक्षताभिः सपुष्पाभिः कृत्वा गोमयमंडलम्
ghṛtena snapanaṃ kṛtvā śaṃbhorvā keśavasya vā | akṣatābhiḥ sapuṣpābhiḥ kṛtvā gomayamaṃḍalam
ഘൃതംകൊണ്ട് സ്നാപനം നടത്തി—ശംഭുവിന്റെയോ (ശിവൻ) കേശവന്റെയോ (വിഷ്ണു) വിഗ്രഹം ആയാലും—ഗോമയമണ്ഡലം വരച്ച്, അക്ഷതയും പുഷ്പങ്ങളും കൊണ്ട് പൂജിക്കണം.
Unspecified (narrative instruction within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa; exact dialogue speaker not provided in the excerpt)
Concept: External ritual purity and careful offerings cultivate inner steadiness and devotion; the same sanctifying act can be directed to Śiva or Viṣṇu, highlighting shared sacred protocol in image-worship.
Application: Keep worship simple but exact: cleanse the space, set a clear boundary (a clean altar/maṇḍala), offer fresh flowers and akṣata with focused mind; treat daily pūjā as training in attention and gratitude.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A quiet shrine scene: a polished stone mūrti of Keśava (or Śambhu) is gently bathed with warm, shimmering ghee, while a neat cow-dung maṇḍala forms a protective circle on the floor. Hands place akṣata and fresh blossoms in rhythmic devotion, the air thick with incense and the soft rustle of ritual cloth.","primary_figures":["Keśava (Viṣṇu) or Śambhu (Śiva) mūrti","a devoted householder-priest","attendant with flower basket"],"setting":"Small temple sanctum or household altar with brass vessels, conch, lamp, and a freshly drawn maṇḍala on the floor","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["ghee-gold","lotus pink","sandalwood beige","deep vermilion","bronze"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sanctum interior with Keśava arcā-mūrti receiving ghṛta-abhiṣeka, thick gold leaf halo and arch, rich red-green drapery, gem-studded ornaments, akṣata and flower offerings arranged in symmetrical patterns, cow-dung maṇḍala rendered as auspicious circular motif, traditional South Indian iconography and ornate lamp flames.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate household shrine with delicate brushwork, slender hands pouring ghee over a small dark stone deity, akṣata and blossoms scattered like pearls, lyrical naturalism, soft cool shadows, refined faces, patterned textiles, minimal architecture framing the sacred circle on the floor.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, natural pigments, stylized devotee figures with characteristic eyes, Keśava/Śambhu icon centered, ritual vessels and lamp emphasized, circular maṇḍala motif on ochre floor, red-yellow-green palette with rhythmic floral accents.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Krishna-centered altar scene with lotus motifs and intricate floral borders, deep blue background, golden lamp glow, akṣata like white pearls, garlands and blossoms cascading, sacred circle motif integrated into decorative mandala pattern, peacocks and cows subtly ornamenting the margins."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","oil lamp crackle","incense smoke hush","low murmured mantra"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śaṃbhorvā → śambhoḥ + vā; akṣatābhiḥ sapuṣpābhiḥ → akṣatābhiḥ + sa-puṣpābhiḥ; gomayamaṃḍalam → gomaya-maṇḍalam.
FAQs
It presents the same basic pūjā procedure as applicable to either deity, reflecting a non-sectarian ritual framing where devotion and purity of worship are emphasized over exclusivity.
A gomaya-maṇḍala functions as a purificatory and protective ritual boundary for worship; cow-dung is traditionally treated as a purifier in dharmic ritual contexts.
Akṣata (unbroken grains) and flowers symbolize wholeness, auspiciousness, and sincere offering—pointing to careful, respectful worship performed with reverence and purity.