Shloka 167
Agastya Arghya Rite and the Gaurī & Sārasvata Vows
with Origin Narratives and Merit Statements
सा पूर्वस्यापि वन्द्या च लक्ष्मीर्विष्णुप्रतिग्रहात् । मया पूर्वं तवार्थाय दक्षयज्ञस्तु नाशितः
sā pūrvasyāpi vandyā ca lakṣmīrviṣṇupratigrahāt | mayā pūrvaṃ tavārthāya dakṣayajñastu nāśitaḥ
അവൾ മുൻയുഗത്തിലും വന്ദനീയയാണ്; വിഷ്ണു സ്വീകരിച്ചതിനാൽ ലക്ഷ്മിയും വന്ദ്യയായി. മുമ്പ് നിന്റെ കാരണത്താൽ ഞാൻ ദക്ഷയജ്ഞം നശിപ്പിച്ചു.
Uncertain from single-verse context (likely a dialogue speaker within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa; commonly framed as Mahādeva speaking in Dakṣa-yajña narrative contexts).
Concept: True venerability (vandya) arises from divine acceptance and right relationship—Lakṣmī’s glory is inseparable from Viṣṇu’s embrace; ritual without reverence collapses.
Application: Let recognition be grounded in character and right association; do not weaponize ritual status—repair disrespect before it ruins collective good.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stern divine figure recalls the moment Dakṣa’s grand sacrifice shattered—fire altars, toppled ladles, and stunned sages frozen mid-chant. Above the chaos, the presence of Viṣṇu and the radiance of Lakṣmī’s sanctity are implied as the true axis of reverence.","primary_figures":["Rudra (Śiva)","Lakṣmī","Viṣṇu","Dakṣa","assembled ṛṣis"],"setting":"vast sacrificial arena with multiple fire altars, banners, offering vessels, and celestial spectators","lighting_mood":"storm-lit with sudden divine flare","color_palette":["ash gray","flame orange","sandalwood beige","sapphire blue","gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic yajña scene with gold-leaf flames and ornate altar details; Rudra in commanding stance, while a small luminous vignette shows Viṣṇu with Lakṣmī enthroned, emphasizing ‘Viṣṇu-pratigraha’; rich reds, greens, and heavy jewelry, embossed gold halos.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: panoramic sacrificial ground with delicate figures of sages; smoke curls rendered softly; Rudra’s intervention shown with restrained dynamism; in the sky, Viṣṇu-Lakṣmī appear as a calm blue-gold cloud vignette, cool palette and refined expressions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold-lined yajña pavilion, stylized flames, Rudra with intense eyes; Viṣṇu and Lakṣmī in iconic frontal depiction within a circular aureole; strong reds/yellows/greens with temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central medallion of Viṣṇu-Lakṣmī with lotus border; outer ring depicts the yajña disruption in narrative panels; intricate floral motifs, deep indigo background, gold highlights and symmetrical storytelling."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling sacrificial fire","chanting interrupted","sudden conch blast","wind gust"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूर्वस्यापि = पूर्वस्य + अपि; लक्ष्मीर्विष्णुप्रतिग्रहात् = लक्ष्मीः + विष्णु-प्रतिग्रहात्; तवार्थाय = तव + अर्थाय; दक्षयज्ञस्तु = दक्ष-यज्ञः + तु
FAQs
The verse links Lakṣmī’s honored status to her intimate association with Viṣṇu—her dignity and worship-worthiness are affirmed through her being received/accepted by him.
It alludes to the well-known Dakṣa-yajña episode, using it as a reminder of a past decisive act performed “for your sake,” indicating protection of honor/dharma within the narrative.
Honor arises from righteous association and divine alignment, and wrongdoing in sacred acts (like a corrupted sacrifice) may be opposed—even forcefully—when dharma and respect are violated.