Shloka 7
The Slaying of Tāreya
भूधरा विटपास्सिंहास्तथा सर्पादयः शराः । धावंति पार्वतीपुत्रं कोटिकोटिसहस्रशः
bhūdharā viṭapāssiṃhāstathā sarpādayaḥ śarāḥ | dhāvaṃti pārvatīputraṃ koṭikoṭisahasraśaḥ
പർവതങ്ങൾ, വൃക്ഷങ്ങൾ, സിംഹങ്ങൾ, സർപ്പാദികൾ—അമ്പുകളെപ്പോലെ—പാർവതീപുത്രന്റെ നേരെ കോടി കോടി സഹസ്രങ്ങളായി പാഞ്ഞുവന്നു।
Narrator (context not specified in the provided excerpt; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue frame typical of the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa)
Concept: When adharma surges, the world itself seems weaponized; yet the righteous must remain unshaken amid overwhelming odds.
Application: In times when problems multiply and feel ‘world-sized,’ break them into manageable units; keep composure and seek higher anchoring (prayer, discipline).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A terrifying vision unfolds: mountains uproot and hurtle forward, trees fly like spears, lions leap midair, and serpents stream like living arrows—an impossible storm of nature turned into missiles. At the center stands Pārvatī’s son, bracing as the sky fills with countless rushing forms, the scale stretching into infinity.","primary_figures":["Skanda (Pārvatīputra)","Daitya conjurer/warrior (implied)","Swarming lions","Serpents","Uprooted mountains and trees (personified nature)"],"setting":"Surreal battlefield-cosmos where terrain breaks free; horizon crowded with flying cliffs, forests, and beasts","lighting_mood":"apocalyptic twilight with dust-veiled sun","color_palette":["dusty ochre","storm violet","forest green","slate gray","sunset orange"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Skanda centered with radiant halo and ornate armor; around him, embossed gold-leaf outlines of flying mountains and trees, jewel-toned lions and serpents arcing like arrows; rich red backdrop with dramatic gold highlights emphasizing the countless onslaught.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: panoramic composition with delicate, repeated motifs of tiny lions and serpents streaming across the sky; floating hills rendered in soft washes; Skanda calm and poised, refined facial features, lyrical yet uncanny naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: rhythmic procession of stylized animals and serpents as arrow-forms, bold outlines and patterned fills; Skanda as central heroic figure with characteristic eyes; earthy pigments and temple-panel symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: convert the multitude into patterned bands—serpents as sinuous floral borders, lions as repeating motifs; central heroic deity figure; deep blue/ochre ground with gold detailing, intricate textile geometry conveying ‘crores upon crores’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["roaring wind","rockfall rumble","animal cries","drum thunder","conch shell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विटपास्सिंहाः = विटपाः + सिंहाः; सर्पादयः = सर्प + आदयः; पार्वतीपुत्रम् = पार्वती + पुत्रम्; कोटिकोटिसहस्रशः = कोटि-कोटि-सहस्र-शः (अव्ययार्थे)
FAQs
Literally it means “the son of Pārvatī,” commonly referring to Gaṇeśa or Skanda/Kārttikeya depending on the surrounding narrative. The exact identification requires the immediately preceding and following verses of Adhyaya 69.
The verse uses śarāḥ (“arrows”) as a simile to convey sudden, forceful, and swift movement—an epic-Purāṇic way of intensifying the scene and portraying nature and creatures as if weaponized in a cosmic conflict.
In Purāṇic narration, overwhelming odds and violent imagery often underline the supremacy of divine power and destiny: even vast multitudes can be rendered ineffective before the divine, encouraging humility and reliance on dharma rather than brute force.