Shloka 55

Pitṛmātṛtīrtha Greatness & the Discourse on Embodiment: Karma, Birth, Impurity, and Dispassion

Devanagari script

वदनैकमहाद्वारं गवाक्षाष्टकभूषितम् । ओष्ठद्वयकपाटं तु दंतजिह्वागलान्वितम्

Transliteration

vadanaikamahādvāraṃ gavākṣāṣṭakabhūṣitam | oṣṭhadvayakapāṭaṃ tu daṃtajihvāgalānvitam

Translation

वदनैकमहाद्वारं गवाक्षाष्टकभूषितम् । ओष्ठद्वयकपाटं तु दंतजिह्वागलान्वितम् ॥

Word by Word

• वदन-एक-महा-द्वारम्: the mouth as the single great gate
• वदन-एक-महा-द्वारम्: Karma/Topic (Object/Theme)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वदन (प्रातिपदिक) + एक (प्रातिपदिक) + महा (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; कर्मधारयः—‘वदनमेव महाद्वारम्’ (one great gate: the mouth)

• गवाक्ष-अष्टक-भूषितम्: adorned with eight windows (openings)
• गवाक्ष-अष्टक-भूषितम्: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गवाक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + अष्टक (प्रातिपदिक) + भूषित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्तः (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘गवाक्षाणाम् अष्टकेन भूषितम्’

• ओष्ठ-द्वय-कपाटम्: the two-lip door (lips as shutters)
• ओष्ठ-द्वय-कपाटम्: Karma/Topic (Object/Theme)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ओष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वय (प्रातिपदिक) + कपाट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘ओष्ठयोः द्वयस्य कपाटम्’

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण/विरोधार्थक-अव्ययम् (but/indeed)

• दन्त-जिह्वा-गल-अन्वितम्: provided with teeth, tongue, and throat
• दन्त-जिह्वा-गल-अन्वितम्: Visheshana (Adjective/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दन्त (प्रातिपदिक) + जिह्वा (प्रातिपदिक) + गल (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्वित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्तः (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषभावः—‘दन्तजिह्वागलैः अन्वितम्’

Speaker

Unspecified (context not provided; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue framework common to Bhūmi-khaṇḍa)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The sense-gates are structured like a city’s portals; guard them, because through them desire and delusion enter.

Application: Practice mindful speech (avoid harsh/false words), regulate diet, and dedicate the mouth to mantra, kirtan, and prasada rather than uncontrolled consumption.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A surreal, didactic illustration where the human face becomes a temple-city façade: the mouth as a grand arched gateway, lips as carved doors, and eight small window-like openings suggested around the face as 'gavākṣa' motifs. Teeth appear like a white colonnade, the tongue like a red banner within, and the throat as a shadowed corridor leading inward.","primary_figures":["Allegorical human face as a city-gate","Optional: a small sage-figure pointing, as if teaching"],"setting":"Architectural-metaphor space—half human anatomy, half carved stone gateway, like a sacred city entrance.","lighting_mood":"lamp-lit didactic glow","color_palette":["sandstone beige","ivory white","vermillion red","bronze brown","midnight shadow"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: face-as-temple-gopuram motif, mouth as ornate gateway with gold leaf highlights on the lip-doors and window frames, rich reds/greens in decorative borders, pearl-like teeth rendered with gem-studded accents, traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant, whimsical anatomy-architecture fusion, fine detailing on the 'windows' and lip-doors, cool subdued palette, a sage seated with manuscript to the side, refined facial features and gentle shading.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized mouth-gateway with rhythmic patterns, strong reds and yellows, temple-wall composition emphasizing symmetry and didactic clarity, large expressive eyes to heighten the metaphor of vigilance.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative border of lotuses and vines framing the face-gateway, deep blue background with gold accents, the mouth-gate centered like a shrine entrance, subtle Krishna-symbols (flute/peacock feather motifs) implying the mouth should serve kirtan."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","page-turn of palm-leaf manuscript","gentle tanpura","quiet audience hush"]}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: वदनैकमहाद्वारम् = वदन + एक + महा + द्वारम्; गवाक्षाष्टकभूषितम् = गवाक्ष + अष्टक + भूषितम्; ओष्ठद्वयकपाटम् = ओष्ठ + द्वय + कपाटम्; दंतजिह्वागलान्वितम् = दन्त + जिह्वा + गल + अन्वितम्.

FAQs

What are the “eight windows” (gavākṣāṣṭaka) in this verse?

They are commonly understood as the eight openings in the head/face region (e.g., two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, and the mouth as the principal gate in related body-metaphor passages), with this verse focusing specifically on the mouth as the main gateway.

Why does the Padma Purana describe the mouth as a gate with doors?

It uses an architectural metaphor to teach restraint: speech and intake should be ‘guarded’ like a doorway, since words and actions that pass through this gate can lead to merit or harm.

What ethical lesson is implied by mentioning lips, teeth, tongue, and throat?

The verse highlights the instruments of speech and consumption, implying mindful control—speaking truthfully and kindly, avoiding harmful speech, and moderating indulgence.