Shloka 20
Origin of Jaleśvara Tīrtha and the Devas’ Appeal to Śiva against Bāṇa/Tripura
Nārada’s Mission
शतयोजनविस्तीर्णं ततो द्विगुणमायतम् । ततः पश्यति तत्रैव बाणं तु बलदर्पितम्
śatayojanavistīrṇaṃ tato dviguṇamāyatam | tataḥ paśyati tatraiva bāṇaṃ tu baladarpitam
ആ നഗരം നൂറു യോജന വീതിയുള്ളതും അതിന്റെ ഇരട്ടി നീളമുള്ളതുമായിരുന്നു. അവിടെ അദ്ദേഹം ശക്തിയുടെ അഹങ്കാരത്തിൽ മതിമറന്ന ബാണാസുരനെ കണ്ടു.
Narrator (contextual; specific dialogue pair not explicit from this single verse)
Concept: Pride in strength (bala-darpa) is a precursor to downfall; true power is governed by dharma and devotion, not self-intoxication.
Application: Cultivate competence without arrogance; when success grows, increase humility and accountability to higher principles.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A colossal city stretches beyond the horizon—its breadth like an ocean of rooftops—while the sage stands at a vantage point, taking in the impossible scale. In the foreground, Bāṇa appears as a towering, jewel-armored figure, posture lifted in self-assured pride, as if the very air thickens with his confidence.","primary_figures":["Narada","Bāṇa (dānava king)"],"setting":"High terrace or city overlook; endless palatial avenues and ramparts receding into mist; banners and watchtowers.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["steel blue","sunlit gold","crimson banner-red","opal white","deep teal"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: panoramic jeweled city with exaggerated scale, gold leaf on ramparts and domes; Bāṇa in ornate armor with crown and heavy jewelry, standing proud; the sage at the edge of the scene; embossed gold patterns, rich reds/greens, symmetrical icon-like presentation of the antagonist.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: sweeping city panorama with delicate architectural detailing; misty distance to convey yojana-scale; Bāṇa depicted with refined yet imposing features; subtle tension through posture and spacing; cool palette with warm highlights.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines for massive fort walls, rhythmic repetition of towers; Bāṇa in stylized heroic stance with exaggerated ornaments; the sage smaller but luminous; strong primary pigments and temple-mural compositional clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative aerial-like city patterning framed by floral borders; Bāṇa as central figure with ornate textiles; deep indigo background with gold accents; stylized banners and lotus motifs to keep Vaishnava visual vocabulary even in an asuric setting."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["distant war-drums (soft)","conch shell (single call)","wind over high ramparts","metallic jingle of armor","low drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शतयोजनविस्तीर्णम् → शत + योजन + विस्तीर्णम्; द्विगुणमायतम् → द्विगुणम् + आयतम्; तत्रैव → तत्र + एव.
FAQs
It uses yojana-based measurements to convey vast, epic scale—typical of Purāṇic narration when describing regions, realms, or extraordinary settings.
The verse names Bāṇa and characterizes him as baladarpita—arrogant due to strength—without further identification in this isolated excerpt; the surrounding verses usually clarify his lineage and narrative role.
It highlights the danger of pride rooted in power: strength without humility tends toward moral downfall, a recurring Purāṇic theme.