Shloka 50
Puṣkara Invocation, the Dharma-Wheel at Naimiṣa, and the Padma Purāṇa Prologue
श्रुत्वा जगाद च मुनीन्प्रतिवेदांश्चतुर्मुखः । प्रवृत्तिस्सर्वशास्त्राणां पुराणस्याभवत्तदा
śrutvā jagāda ca munīnprativedāṃścaturmukhaḥ | pravṛttissarvaśāstrāṇāṃ purāṇasyābhavattadā
Tendo ouvido, o de quatro faces (Brahmā) falou então aos munis e aos versados em cada Veda; e, naquele tempo, surgiu a transmissão de todos os śāstras—especialmente do Purāṇa.
Brahmā (Caturmukha)
Concept: Knowledge becomes living tradition through hearing and authorized teaching; Purāṇa arises as a structured transmission alongside the Vedas and their specialists.
Application: Honor learning lineages: study from reliable teachers, verify sources, and pass on what you have understood with fidelity and compassion.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Brahmā, four-faced and calm, sits upon a vast lotus rising from cosmic waters, addressing a circle of sages and Veda-knowers who hold palm-leaf manuscripts. As he speaks, streams of luminous syllables flow outward like rivers of sound, forming the first pathways of Purāṇic tradition.","primary_figures":["Brahmā (Caturmukha)","ṛṣis","Veda-vids (specialists of each Veda)"],"setting":"Brahmaloka-like lotus dais above tranquil waters, with a subtle cosmic canopy and floating manuscript-stands.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sunrise gold","lotus pink","ivory","emerald green","sky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Brahmā enthroned on a giant lotus with heavy gold leaf halo, four faces rendered symmetrically, sages seated below with manuscripts, gold-embossed syllable-streams emanating from Brahmā’s mouths, rich maroon and green garments, ornate arch and floral borders with gem-like detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle dawn over pale blue waters, Brahmā on a pink lotus, sages in white and saffron seated on a terrace, delicate script on palm leaves, soft atmospheric perspective, refined facial features and calm gestures of instruction.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Brahmā centered with bold outlines and stylized eyes, lotus throne and symmetrical sage assembly, flat warm yellows and reds with green accents, decorative vine borders, syllable-streams as patterned bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus throne with Brahmā, concentric floral borders, sages arranged in symmetrical registers, deep blue background with gold highlights, lotus motifs repeated throughout, script-like patterns forming a halo-ring around the teaching scene."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft temple bells","rustle of palm leaves","distant swan calls"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: munīnprativedāṃś = munīn + prati-vedān; vedāṃś (acc. pl.) shows anusvāra before ś; pravṛttissarvaśāstrāṇām = pravṛttiḥ + sarva-śāstrāṇām; purāṇasyābhavat = purāṇasya + abhavat.
FAQs
It presents Brahmā as initiating the flow of scriptural tradition—addressing sages and Veda-experts—marking the beginning of the Purāṇic and broader śāstric transmission.
“Caturmukha” is a standard epithet of Brahmā, symbolizing his four faces associated with the four Vedas and comprehensive knowledge.
It emphasizes attentive listening before teaching: knowledge is received (śrutvā) and then responsibly transmitted for the benefit of the wider tradition.