Shloka 81
The Burning of Tripura and the Sacred Greatness of Amarakāṇṭaka
Jvāleśvara on the Narmadā
कोटिश ऋषिमुख्यास्ते तपस्तप्यंति सुव्रताः । समंताद्योजनं राजन्क्षेत्रं चामरकंटकम्
koṭiśa ṛṣimukhyāste tapastapyaṃti suvratāḥ | samaṃtādyojanaṃ rājankṣetraṃ cāmarakaṃṭakam
ഹേ രാജാവേ, അവിടെ സുവ്രതന്മാരായ ഋഷിമുഖ്യർ കോടികളായി തപസ്സു അനുഷ്ഠിക്കുന്നു. ചുറ്റുമൊട്ടാകെ ഒരു യോജന വ്യാപ്തിയിൽ ‘ആമരകണ്ടക’ എന്ന പുണ്യക്ഷേത്രം വ്യാപിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു.
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (rājan)
Concept: Holy places are energized by the presence of vow-keepers; tapas and suvrata conduct ‘thicken’ sanctity and make a region a living āśrama.
Application: Seek environments and communities that support vows (diet, truthfulness, japa); create a ‘yojana-kṣetra’ at home by setting boundaries around distractions and cultivating daily discipline.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A panoramic ring of sacred land around Āmarakaṇṭaka: hermitages dot the forest, smoke from sacrificial fires rises in thin blue threads, and countless sages sit in meditation, some standing in penance, others chanting by small streams. The mountain looms like a natural altar, encircled by an invisible yojana-halo of sanctity.","primary_figures":["Assemblies of ṛṣis (suvratāḥ)","Forest ascetics","Occasional deer and peacocks"],"setting":"Forest-and-mountain kṣetra with multiple āśramas, yajña-kuṇḍas, and meditation clearings","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["pine green","smoke blue","earth brown","sunrise gold","sandalwood beige"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: grand Amarkantak mountain centered with a radiant gold-leaf aura marking the yojana-kṣetra; rows of sages with matted hair and rudrākṣa, small fire-altars with gold highlights, ornate borders, rich reds/greens, stylized trees and temple-like arches framing the sacred geography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: sweeping landscape with layered hills, delicate trees, tiny hermitages, and many sages in varied tapas postures; cool atmospheric perspective, fine brushwork, lyrical naturalism, soft dawn sky, refined facial features and minimal ornamentation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: symmetrical composition—Amarkantak as a central mound, sages arranged in registers performing japa and homa; bold outlines, flat yet vibrant natural pigments, temple-wall aesthetic, rhythmic repetition of ascetic figures.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: circular ‘yojana’ mandala around the mountain rendered as floral and lotus borders; numerous sages as repeating motifs like devotional attendants; intricate vines, peacocks, and patterned clouds; deep indigo ground with gold and vermilion detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["forest birds","crackling sacred fire","distant chanting","wind through trees"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऋषिमुख्यास्ते = ऋषि-मुख्याः ते; तपस्तप्यंति = तपः तप्यन्ति; समंताद्योजनं = समन्तात् योजनम्; राजन्क्षेत्रं = राजन् क्षेत्रम्; चामरकंटकम् = च अमरकण्टकम्
FAQs
It portrays Āmarakaṇṭaka as a powerful tapas-kṣetra where countless eminent sages undertake austerities, marking it as an exceptionally sacred region.
It describes the extent of the holy zone surrounding Āmarakaṇṭaka—an area considered sacred in every direction for the distance of one yojana.
The verse highlights disciplined vows (suvrata) and austerity (tapas) as esteemed spiritual practices associated with holy places and realized sages.