Shloka 23

The Account and Merit of Śivadūtī

with the Nāga-tīrtha at Puṣkara

Devanagari script

व्रजध्वं स्वनिकेतानि नीरुजो गतसाध्वसाः । एवमुक्ते प्रजाः सर्वा ब्रह्मणाऽव्यक्तमूर्तिना

Transliteration

vrajadhvaṃ svaniketāni nīrujo gatasādhvasāḥ | evamukte prajāḥ sarvā brahmaṇā'vyaktamūrtinā

Translation

व्रजध्वं स्वनिकेतानि नीरुजो गतसाध्वसाः। एवमुक्तेऽव्यक्तमूर्तिना ब्रह्मणा प्रजाः सर्वाः…

Word by Word

• व्रजध्वम्: go (you all)!
• व्रजध्वम्: Kriya (Command)
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्रज् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), बहुवचन (plural); आत्मनेपद

• स्व-निकेतानि: to your own homes
• स्व-निकेतानि: Karma (Goal/object of motion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + निकेत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neut.), द्वितीया (Accusative, 2nd), बहुवचन (plural); समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘one’s own dwellings’)

• नीरुजः: free from illness
• नीरुजः: Karta (Subject, addressed)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नीरुज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc.), प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), बहुवचन (plural)

• गत-साध्वसाः: with fear dispelled
• गत-साध्वसाः: Karta (Subject, addressed)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गत (कृदन्त, गम्-धातु) + साध्वस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc.), प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), बहुवचन (plural); समासः—तत्पुरुष (whose fear has gone)

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-vishesana (Adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb) — ‘thus’

• उक्ते: when said
• उक्ते: Adhikarana (Locative absolute)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वच् (धातु) → उक्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle) used in locative absolute; नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neut.), सप्तमी (Locative, 7th), एकवचन (singular) — ‘when (it was) said’

• प्रजाः: creatures, subjects
• प्रजाः: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), बहुवचन (plural)

• सर्वाः: all
• सर्वाः: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा (Nominative, 1st), बहुवचन (plural); प्रजाः इति विशेषण

• ब्रह्मणा: by Brahmā
• ब्रह्मणा: Karana (Agent/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc.), तृतीया (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन (singular)

• अव्यक्त-मूर्तिना: of unmanifest form
• अव्यक्त-मूर्तिना: Karana (Qualifier of agent)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + मूर्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masc.), तृतीया (Instrumental, 3rd), एकवचन (singular); समासः—कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष (manifestation-form being unmanifest); ब्रह्मणा इति विशेषण

Speaker

Brahmā (addressing the prajāḥ/created beings)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Divine governance aims at loka-kṣema: beings should live in their proper stations, healthy and unafraid, once disorder is checked.

Application: After crisis, re-establish routine and health: return to one’s duties, rebuild community safety, and cultivate inner steadiness through prayer and discipline.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Geographic Context

Type: city

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The beings depart in orderly lines toward their homes as the landscape regains color—green shoots emerging where ash had lain. Brahmā, depicted as subtly radiant and ‘unmanifest-formed,’ watches with calm compassion, his presence more like a luminous principle than a heavy figure.","primary_figures":["Brahmā (Avyakta-mūrti)","Prajāḥ (all beings)"],"setting":"Threshold between cosmic court and earthly dwellings—paths leading to villages, forests, nests, and burrows","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["soft gold","fresh green","sky blue","lotus pink","warm ochre"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Brahmā with gold leaf aura, serene and slightly ethereal; prajāḥ walking toward stylized homes—huts, nests, forest hollows—faces relieved; ornate border, rich reds/greens, gold highlights on the path symbolizing restored dharma.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle procession of beings returning to dwellings in a lyrical landscape; delicate trees and birds; pale dawn wash, fine brushwork, calm expressions and soft gradients conveying peace after fear.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: symmetrical composition with Brahmā at center, prajāḥ moving outward; bold outlines, natural pigments, stylized houses and trees; dominant yellows/greens with red accents, temple-wall serenity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central radiant Brahmā with lotus motifs; surrounding vignettes of beings returning to nests and homes; intricate floral borders, deep blue background transitioning to dawn gold, emphasizing auspicious restoration."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["morning birds","gentle flowing water","soft temple bell","long quiet pauses"]}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: एवमुक्ते = एवम् + उक्ते; ब्रह्मणाऽव्यक्तमूर्तिना = ब्रह्मणा + अव्यक्तमूर्तिना (अ-लोप/ऽवग्रह).

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā
• Prajāḥ

FAQs

Who is speaking in this verse and to whom?

Brahmā is speaking, addressing the prajāḥ—created beings/subjects—telling them to return to their own dwellings without fear or illness.

What does “avyaktamūrtinā” imply about Brahmā here?

It describes Brahmā as having an “unmanifest/subtle form,” emphasizing a transcendent or non-gross aspect while he exercises cosmic authority.

What ethical or spiritual lesson does this verse convey?

It highlights reassurance and restoration of order: rightful authority protects beings, removes fear, and sends them back to normal life in health and safety.