Shloka 37
The Kāmodā Episode: Ocean-Churning Maiden, Tulasī Identity, and the Merit of Proper Flower-Offerings
नारद उवाच । तत्र दैत्य न गंतव्यं कामोदाख्ये पुरोत्तमे । विष्णुरस्ति सुमेधावी सर्वदैत्यक्षयावहः
nārada uvāca | tatra daitya na gaṃtavyaṃ kāmodākhye purottame | viṣṇurasti sumedhāvī sarvadaityakṣayāvahaḥ
नारद उवाच—तत्र दैत्य न गन्तव्यं कामोदाख्ये पुरोत्तमे। विष्णुरस्ति सुमेधावी सर्वदैत्यक्षयावहः॥
Nārada
Concept: Where Viṣṇu abides, adharma cannot prevail; the wise avoid hostile intent toward sacred spaces and the Lord’s devotees.
Application: Do not approach holy places or communities with exploitative motives; cultivate reverence and self-restraint when encountering what is sacred.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Nārada, radiant and stern, raises a warning hand before a proud daitya poised to march toward a jeweled city gate. Above the city Kāmodā, Viṣṇu’s presence is suggested by a vast blue aura and a hovering śaṅkha-cakra emblem, making the air itself feel forbidding to the demonic intruder.","primary_figures":["Nārada","a Daitya/Dānava antagonist","Viṣṇu (aura or distant enthroned presence)"],"setting":"City outskirts with ornate gates, temple spires within, and a protective divine canopy in the sky.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","storm gray","golden aura","crimson banner-red","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Nārada in front-facing stance with vīṇā, admonishing a richly armored daitya; behind them the city Kāmodā with gopura-like towers; Viṣṇu’s śaṅkha-cakra halo in gold leaf dominating the upper panel, heavy ornamentation, rich reds/greens, embossed gold borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: narrative moment on a hillside path leading to a refined city; Nārada’s delicate features and flowing garments, daitya with expressive posture; cool blues and grays, subtle Viṣṇu aura in the sky, fine architectural detailing and lyrical landscape.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, Nārada with stylized eyes and vīṇā, daitya with exaggerated stance; city rendered as rhythmic temple forms; Viṣṇu’s symbols (cakra, śaṅkha) as a radiant mandala overhead in red-yellow-green pigments.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition—central Viṣṇu aura with śaṅkha-cakra, below Nārada warning the daitya; ornate floral borders, lotus motifs, deep blue ground with gold highlights, symmetrical temple silhouettes."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","low drone (tanpura)","distant thunder","footsteps on stone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नारद उवाच → नारदः उवाच (विसर्ग लोप); विष्णुरस्ति → विष्णुः अस्ति (विसर्ग-सन्धि); सर्वदैत्यक्षयावहः = समास/संयोग (सर्व+दैत्य+क्षय+आवह)
FAQs
The speaker is Nārada, addressing a Daitya (a demon/anti-god being).
It warns the Daitya not to go to the excellent place called Kāmodā because Viṣṇu resides there and is described as the cause of the destruction of all daityas.
The verse implies that sacred spaces associated with Viṣṇu are protected by divine power, and that hostile or harmful intent leads to self-destruction when confronted with dharmic/divine order.