Shloka 6
The Destruction of Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
तत्र वेदीं समां कृत्वा चातुर्होत्रं न्यवेशयत् । होता वसिष्ठस्तत्रासीदंगिराध्वर्युसत्तमः
tatra vedīṃ samāṃ kṛtvā cāturhotraṃ nyaveśayat | hotā vasiṣṭhastatrāsīdaṃgirādhvaryusattamaḥ
तत्र समां वेदीं निर्माय चातुर्होत्रं विधिवत् न्यवेशयत्। तस्मिन् यज्ञे वसिष्ठो होता आसीत्, अङ्गिराश्चाध्वर्युषां सत्तमः।
Narratorial voice (Purāṇic narrator describing the ritual arrangement; specific dialogue speaker not explicit in this verse alone).
Concept: Ritual efficacy depends on proper arrangement (vedī-samatā, cāturhotra) and qualified officiants; dharma is enacted through disciplined roles.
Application: In any duty—work, worship, service—set a stable ‘altar’: prepare the ground, assign roles clearly, and act with competence and respect.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A broad, perfectly leveled vedī is being measured with cords and marked with sacred lines, while priests in white garments take their stations. Vasiṣṭha stands poised with Ṛgvedic ladles and mantra posture, and Aṅgirā, dignified and focused, prepares the Yajurvedic implements near the fire-pit.","primary_figures":["Vasiṣṭha (Hotṛ)","Aṅgirā (Adhvaryu)","Dakṣa (yajamāna, implied)","attendant ṛtviks"],"setting":"Open-air yajña-śālā with kusa grass, wooden posts, ladles, soma vessels, and a central fire altar.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron ochre","ash white","sacred fire orange","kusa green","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a grand yajña-vedī with gold leaf flames, richly ornamented ritual vessels, Vasiṣṭha and Aṅgirā in traditional iconographic poses, red-green textile accents, gem-studded implements, and a symmetrical altar composition framed by lotus borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a serene outdoor sacrifice scene with delicate linework, pale mountains in the distance, refined priestly faces, soft smoke curls, and detailed ritual objects; cool greens and warm fire tones balanced in lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined priests around a stylized square vedī, flat fields of red/yellow/green, prominent fire motif, large expressive eyes, and temple-wall geometry emphasizing the fourfold rite stations.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a decorative altar scene framed by lotus and vine borders, rhythmic repetition of ritual vessels, peacocks perched on posts, deep blue background with gold highlights, and a central sacred fire rendered as a floral flame mandala."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling fire","low Vedic chanting","wooden ladle taps","conch shell (distant)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vasiṣṭhastatrāsīd = vasiṣṭhaḥ + tatra + āsīt; aṃgirādhvaryu = aṅgirāḥ + adhvaryu
FAQs
It refers to the standard fourfold Vedic priestly system—Hotṛ (recites Ṛgveda), Adhvaryu (performs ritual actions with Yajurveda), Udgātṛ (chants Sāmaveda), and Brahman (supervising priest associated with Atharvaveda traditions).
They are exemplary Vedic ṛṣis presented as officiating priests, which lends ritual authority and sacred legitimacy to the yajña being described.
It highlights order, precision, and qualified guidance in sacred action—suggesting that dharmic outcomes arise when rites are performed properly by competent, venerable authorities.