Shloka 67
The Birth of Tāraka and the Prelude to the Deva–Asura War
Topic-based Title
ततः संचिंत्य दैत्येंद्रः शिशोर्वै सप्तवासरात् । वव्रे महासुरो मृत्युं मोहितो ह्यवलेपतः
tataḥ saṃciṃtya daityeṃdraḥ śiśorvai saptavāsarāt | vavre mahāsuro mṛtyuṃ mohito hyavalepataḥ
Kemudian, setelah berfikir, penghulu kaum Daitya—terpesona oleh keangkuhan—Mahāsura itu memilih kematian di tangan si anak selepas tujuh hari.
Narrator (contextual; specific dialogue pair not determinable from the single verse alone)
Concept: Ahamkāra (arrogance) and moha (delusion) can make one choose one’s own downfall; time (seven days) becomes the instrument of karmic ripening.
Application: Treat pride as a cognitive hazard; when making high-stakes decisions, seek counsel, humility, and alignment with dharma rather than ego-challenge.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Daitya king stands in tense contemplation, his brow furrowed as a shadow of arrogance clouds his discernment. Behind him, a faint vision appears: a small child, radiant yet seemingly fragile, while a seven-day arc is symbolized by seven lamps or seven rising moons—an ominous countdown to the chosen death.","primary_figures":["Daitya-indra (lord of Daityas)","radiant child (future slayer, symbolic presence)","shadowy attendants (optional)"],"setting":"Royal asura court with dark pillars, weapon racks, and a distant glimpse of a nursery-like glow representing the child; symbolic time markers (seven lamps/lotuses).","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["smoky violet","iron gray","blood red","pale moon silver","ember orange"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the Daitya king in heavy jeweled armor with exaggerated prideful posture, yet eyes clouded; a small luminous child-figure in a corner vignette with gold leaf aura; seven gold lamps aligned as a time-count; rich reds and greens, ornate throne backdrop, gold leaf highlights on weapons and jewelry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: introspective Daitya seated with hand on chin, cool night palette, delicate rendering of seven small lamps along a terrace; a tiny child with soft halo in the distance; refined facial features, lyrical negative space, subtle dread conveyed through composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, the Daitya’s face showing moha and avlepa, stylized seven lamp motifs, the child rendered with bright yellow aura; temple-wall aesthetic with patterned borders and dramatic color blocks.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition—central asura figure surrounded by seven lotus medallions indicating days; a small divine child motif with gold aura; intricate floral borders, deep blue ground, ornamental detailing emphasizing fate and time."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["low drum pulse","distant thunder","conch shell (soft)","tense silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: daityeṃdraḥ = daitya-indraḥ; śiśorvai = śiśoḥ + vai (visarga-lopa); hyavalepataḥ = hi + avalepataḥ (i + a → ya).
FAQs
The term daityendra means “lord of the Daityas” (a demon-king). The specific individual is not identifiable from this verse alone without the surrounding narrative.
The verse highlights how avalepa (arrogant pride) leads to moha (delusion), causing self-destructive choices—even to the point of inviting one’s own death.
The phrase saptavāsarāt frames the death as time-bound and fated within the story’s structure, underscoring a destined consequence that follows the Asura’s deluded decision.