Padma Purana — Svarga Khanda, Shloka 8
The Glory of Prayāga: Merit of Bathing, Remembrance, and Divine Protection
षष्टिर्धनुः सहस्राणि परिरक्षंति जाह्नवीम् । यमुनां रक्षति सदा सविता सप्तवाहनः
ṣaṣṭirdhanuḥ sahasrāṇi parirakṣaṃti jāhnavīm | yamunāṃ rakṣati sadā savitā saptavāhanaḥ
ਸੱਠ ਹਜ਼ਾਰ ਧਨੁਧਾਰੀ ਜਾਹਨਵੀ (ਗੰਗਾ) ਦੀ ਰਖਿਆ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਅਤੇ ਸੱਤ ਘੋੜਿਆਂ ਵਾਲਾ ਸਵਿਤਾ (ਸੂਰਜ) ਸਦਾ ਯਮੁਨਾ ਦੀ ਰਖਿਆ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ।
Unspecified (narratorial voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa’s dialogue context)
Concept: Sacred rivers are upheld by cosmic order; their purity and salvific power are protected by divine agencies.
Application: Honor rivers through ecological dharma: avoid polluting, support clean-water efforts, perform respectful snāna and offerings without harm; see environmental care as a form of seva.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The Gaṅgā flows like a silver serpent under a sky crowded with disciplined ranks of celestial archers, their bows forming a protective canopy. Nearby, the Yamunā gleams darker and calmer, while Sūrya in a radiant chariot drawn by seven horses hovers above, casting a sanctifying light that seems to guard the river’s course.","primary_figures":["Celestial archers (gandharva/deva-sainika)","Sūrya (Savita) in seven-horse chariot","Personified Gaṅgā and Yamunā (optional as river goddesses)"],"setting":"Twin-river panorama approaching the confluence; wide ghats, distant temples, and rippling currents","lighting_mood":"divine radiance with high-contrast solar glow","color_palette":["sunfire gold","steel silver","midnight blue","river emerald","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Sūrya centered in a grand chariot with seven horses, heavy gold leaf radiance; below, stylized rivers with gold-highlighted waves; rows of archers in symmetrical formation; rich reds/greens, gem-like ornaments, ornate borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: sweeping river landscape with delicate archers as tiny figures in the sky; Sūrya rendered with refined elegance, soft clouds, cool blues and greens; subtle gold for sunlight; lyrical naturalism and fine brushwork.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic Sūrya with bold outlines and large expressive eyes; seven horses in stylized rhythm; rivers as patterned bands; archers as repeating motifs; earthy pigments dominated by yellow, red, and green.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative river waves filled with lotus motifs; Sūrya medallion above with seven-horse ring; archers as patterned border elements; deep blue cloth ground with gold and white detailing, intricate floral frames."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","drum pulse (mridanga-like)","wind over water","distant thunder (symbolic)","temple bells"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: षष्टिर्धनुः → षष्टिः धनुः (विसर्गसन्धि: इः + ध → इर् + ध); परिरक्षंति → परिरक्षन्ति (अनुस्वार-लेखनभेद)
FAQs
It portrays both rivers as sacred entities under divine protection—Gaṅgā guarded by vast celestial forces, and Yamunā safeguarded directly by the Sun (Savitṛ).
It is the Sun deity (Savitṛ/Sūrya), described as “seven-horsed,” a standard Purāṇic epithet for the solar chariot.
Sacred tīrthas are not treated as ordinary geography; they are protected and revered, encouraging devotees to approach them with purity, restraint, and respect.