Shloka 15
The Episode of Vena: Purification, the ‘Vāsudevābhidhā’ Hymn, and the Dharma of Charity
Times, Tīrthas, Worthy Recipients
सर्वसौख्यप्रदं नॄणां पठतां जपतां सदा । उपादिशं महाभाग विष्णुप्रीतिकरं परम्
sarvasaukhyapradaṃ nṝṇāṃ paṭhatāṃ japatāṃ sadā | upādiśaṃ mahābhāga viṣṇuprītikaraṃ param
“Wahai yang amat berbahagia, ajarkan kepadaku yang tertinggi itu, yang sentiasa mengurniakan segala kebahagiaan kepada mereka yang membaca dan berzikir dengannya, serta yang paling memperkenan hati Viṣṇu.”
Unspecified (a disciple/questioner addressing a revered interlocutor as “mahābhāga”).
Concept: Regular recitation and japa bring well-being and, more importantly, please Viṣṇu; the seeker prioritizes Viṣṇu-prīti over mere worldly gain.
Application: Choose one short daily recitation (stotra/mantra) and keep it consistent; measure success by increased humility, steadiness, and compassion rather than only external ‘happiness’.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devoted seeker kneels with folded hands before a venerable teacher, lips poised as if ready for japa, eyes bright with earnest longing. Between them rests a small altar with a conch and a lamp, symbolizing Viṣṇu-prīti as the goal. The atmosphere is intimate—guidance about to be given that will shape a lifetime of practice.","primary_figures":["Devotee-seeker","Sage-teacher"],"setting":"Hermitage courtyard or temple side-hall with a simple altar","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm saffron","sandstone beige","deep blue","copper glow","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: devotee in añjali-mudrā before a richly adorned guru, small altar with lamp and conch, gold leaf highlights on halos and ornaments, saturated reds/greens, patterned textiles, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle hillside-ashram setting, delicate brushwork on faces and hands, soft dawn light, minimal altar objects, lyrical naturalism, cool greens and warm saffron accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized eyes, devotee and guru in clear gestures of request and blessing, flat pigment fields, decorative border motifs, lamp flame emphasized in red/yellow.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central altar with lamp, devotee and guru flanking, ornate floral borders and lotus motifs, deep blue background with gold accents, devotional symmetry reminiscent of Nathdwara textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft bells","rustling leaves","distant birds","tanpura drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वसौख्यप्रदं = सर्व+सौख्य+प्रदम् (समास); विष्णुप्रीतिकरं = विष्णु+प्रीति+करम् (समास).
FAQs
The speaker asks to be taught a supreme mantra or devotional practice that can be recited (pāṭha) and repeated as japa, said to grant well-being and to please Viṣṇu.
It frames spiritual practice as something that primarily aims at “Viṣṇu’s pleasure” (viṣṇu-prīti), a hallmark of bhakti-oriented motivation rather than mere ritual performance.
It recommends steady, continual practice—regular recitation and japa—presented as a reliable means to cultivate auspiciousness and inner welfare.