Shloka 28
तीव्रैर्व्रतैर्दानतपोभिरध्वरैः सार्धं विधात्रा तुलया धृता पुरा । रेवापिशाचाशु तयोर्द्वयोरभूद्रेवा वरा तत्र च मोक्षसाधिका
tīvrairvratairdānatapobhiradhvaraiḥ sārdhaṃ vidhātrā tulayā dhṛtā purā | revāpiśācāśu tayordvayorabhūdrevā varā tatra ca mokṣasādhikā
പൂർവകാലത്ത് വിധാതാവ് തുലയിൽ കഠിനവ്രതങ്ങൾ, ദാനങ്ങൾ, തപസ്സുകൾ, യജ്ഞങ്ങൾ—ഇവയെല്ലാം ഒരുമിച്ച് തൂക്കിയിരുന്നു. രേവയും പിശാചവും—ഇരുവരിലും രേവാ വേഗത്തിൽ ശ്രേഷ്ഠയായി തെളിഞ്ഞു; അവിടെ അവൾ ഉത്തമയായി, മോക്ഷസാധികയായി മാറി।
Unspecified narrator (contextual Purāṇic narration within Svargakhaṇḍa)
Concept: Sacred grace can concentrate in tīrtha-śakti: Revā becomes a direct mokṣa-sādhana, surpassing even severe ritual accumulations when divinely appraised.
Application: Balance effort-based spirituality (vrata, dāna, tapas) with surrender to grace; use pilgrimage and sacred bathing as occasions for heartfelt Viṣṇu-smaraṇa rather than merit-accounting alone.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Brahmā as Vidhātṛ sits before a cosmic balance scale suspended in a starry void. On one pan lie miniature symbols of severe vratas, dāna-pātras, tapas-fire, and yajña-altars; on the other, the personified Revā as a luminous river-goddess, whose side descends decisively, releasing a stream of light labeled ‘mokṣa’.","primary_figures":["Brahmā (Vidhātṛ)","Revā-devī (river goddess)","Personified Vrata-Dāna-Tapas-Yajña symbols","Piśāca figure (as the contrasted term in the verse’s comparison)"],"setting":"Cosmic courtroom/astral hall with lotus-throne, floating balance scale, and faint river imagery flowing into a Vaikuṇṭha-like horizon.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["cosmic indigo","brahma-lotus gold","pearl white","vermillion","aqua blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Brahmā on a lotus throne holding a scepter of judgment, a grand gold-leaf balance scale in the center; one side filled with tiny icons of vrata (rosary, sacred thread), dāna (gold pot), tapas (flame), yajña (altar), the other side with Revā-devī as a jeweled river goddess pouring aqua light; embossed gold background, rich reds/greens, gem-like highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: celestial hall with delicate star wash, Brahmā calmly weighing merits on a fine-lined tulā; Revā as a graceful goddess with flowing scarf like a river, her pan gently sinking; subtle symbolic miniatures of ritual acts, refined faces, cool indigo and aqua with warm gold accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic Brahmā with bold outlines and large eyes, central stylized balance scale, ritual symbols rendered as patterned emblems, Revā as a flowing goddess-form with river motifs; strong reds/yellows/greens, deep blue background, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate central tulā framed by lotus borders, Revā depicted as a flowing blue ribbon-goddess with lotus clusters, ritual emblems arranged like decorative motifs on the opposite pan; intricate gold detailing on indigo cloth, symmetrical devotional geometry reminiscent of Nathdwara aesthetics."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["deep temple bell","conch shell","low drone (tanpura)","soft thunder-like mridang pulse","wind in vast space"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tīvrairvrataiḥ = tīvraiḥ vrataiḥ; dānatapobhiḥ = dāna-tapobhiḥ; revāpiśācāśu = revā apiśācā āśu; tayordvayorabhūt = tayoḥ dvayoḥ abhūt; abhūdrevā = abhūt revā
FAQs
It presents Revā as “varā” (superior/excellent) and explicitly “mokṣa-sādhikā,” meaning that association with Revā functions as a means conducive to liberation.
They represent major categories of dharmic merit (puṇya). The verse uses them as a comprehensive measure of spiritual efficacy, implying that Revā’s sanctity surpasses ordinary accumulations of merit.
The verse encourages prioritizing purifying practices connected with sacred tīrthas—especially Revā—along with disciplined vows, generosity, tapas, and yajña, as a unified path oriented toward mokṣa.