Shloka 44
The Account and Merit of Śivadūtī
with the Nāga-tīrtha at Puṣkara
तेभ्यो भीतैर्वर्तितव्यं न चान्यच्चित्ते कार्यं चान्यथा वो विनाशः । इतीरिते ब्रह्मणा वै भुजंगा जग्मुः स्थानं सुतलाख्यं हि सर्वे
tebhyo bhītairvartitavyaṃ na cānyaccitte kāryaṃ cānyathā vo vināśaḥ | itīrite brahmaṇā vai bhujaṃgā jagmuḥ sthānaṃ sutalākhyaṃ hi sarve
तेभ्यो भीतैः तथा वर्तितव्यं, नान्यच्चित्ते कर्तव्यं; अन्यथा वो विनाशः। इति ब्रह्मणा प्रोक्ताः सर्वे भुजङ्गाः सुतलाख्यं स्थानं जग्मुः॥
Brahmā (addressing the Nāgas/serpents)
Concept: Heed divine instruction; fear of rightful authority can function as a guardrail against self-destruction.
Application: When warned by legitimate authority or conscience, do not rationalize; adjust conduct promptly to avoid preventable harm.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Brahmā, four-faced and radiant, stands above a coiling assembly of jeweled Nāgas, his hand raised in stern instruction. The serpents, chastened and fearful, bow and glide downward through a luminous fissure in the earth toward Sutala, where distant palaces gleam like submerged stars.","primary_figures":["Brahmā (Caturmukha)","Nāgas (serpent clans)"],"setting":"Threshold between Bhū-loka and the nether passage—an opening into Sutala with descending stair-like rock strata and shimmering subterranean palaces","lighting_mood":"divine radiance above fading into underworld phosphorescence below","color_palette":["brahma-gold","pearl white","deep teal","ruby red","lapis blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Brahmā with four faces and gold-leaf halo commanding a procession of nāga-kings with gemmed hoods; ornate archway opening into Sutala with gold-leaf palace silhouettes; rich reds/greens, heavy jewelry, embossed gold detailing on crowns and serpent scales.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant Brahmā on a cloud-like ledge, nāgas descending a rocky passage; delicate facial features, fine linework on serpent hoods; cool blues and teals for the descent, warm gold around Brahmā; subtle atmospheric depth.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal Brahmā with bold outlines and stylized eyes, nāgas in rhythmic coils moving toward a dark portal labeled by iconography; strong red/yellow/green palette with deep blue shadows; temple-wall compositional symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative border of lotus vines framing Brahmā above and a spiral procession of nāgas below; Sutala suggested as a circular mandala-palace at the bottom; deep blues and gold, intricate floral motifs, symmetrical devotional layout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell (brief)","temple bells","deep drone (tanpura)","rustle like scales","descending wind"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भीतैर्वर्तितव्यम् = भीतैः + वर्तितव्यम्; चान्यत् = च + अन्यत्; इतीरिते = इति + ईरिते; सुतलाख्यम् = सुतला + आख्यम्.
FAQs
Brahmā instructs the Nāgas (serpents) to act with caution and not to form any contrary intention; otherwise they face destruction.
Sutala is a named realm in the lower worlds (often grouped under Pātāla), presented in Purāṇic cosmology as an underworld domain.
It emphasizes disciplined restraint and heeding rightful authority: reckless or contrary intentions lead to ruin, while compliance preserves order and safety.