Shloka 180
The Five Great Sacrifices: Supremacy of Honoring Parents, Pativrata Dharma, Truthfulness, and Śrāddha
तस्य गेहोदराकाशे स्थितो विप्रोतिशोभनः । तथा पतिव्रता गेहे तुलाधारशिरस्यपि
tasya gehodarākāśe sthito viprotiśobhanaḥ | tathā pativratā gehe tulādhāraśirasyapi
तस्य गेहोदराकाशे विप्रः अतिशोभनः स्थितः। तथा गेहे पतिव्रता अपि, तुलाधारशिरस्येव, स्थिताभवत्।
Unspecified (narratorial voice within Padma Purāṇa, Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Concept: A home becomes spiritually luminous when inhabited by dharmic persons—brāhmaṇa-śobha and pativratā-tejas—turning domestic space into a sanctum.
Application: Treat the home as a temple: cultivate truthfulness, restraint, hospitality, and mutual fidelity; keep a clean prayer space and daily worship routine.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a humble yet radiant house, an open inner courtyard feels like a small sky-dome, suffused with sanctity. A serene brāhmaṇa stands in the airy space while a devoted wife appears with luminous composure, as if poised above the head of Tulādhāra holding a balance—suggesting moral ‘weighing’ and dharmic steadiness.","primary_figures":["Tulādhāra","splendid brāhmaṇa","pativratā wife"],"setting":"A gṛhastha home with an inner courtyard (geha-udara-ākāśa), hanging oil lamps, a balance scale, simple vessels, and a small altar niche.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm ochre","lamp-flame gold","lotus pink","deep indigo","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a sanctified household courtyard rendered like a shrine, Tulādhāra holding a balance with jewel-studded ornaments, a radiant brāhmaṇa standing in the open inner space, the pativratā wife depicted with halo-like glow; heavy gold leaf on halos and ornaments, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, carved-arch framing, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: an intimate domestic courtyard with delicate linework, Tulādhāra with a balance, a calm brāhmaṇa in white, the pativratā wife in soft reds; cool shadows and lyrical naturalism, patterned floor mats, small altar niche, refined faces, gentle atmospheric perspective.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments, the house interior as a sacred mandala-like space, Tulādhāra central with the balance, brāhmaṇa and pativratā flanking; characteristic large eyes, red-yellow-green palette, ornamental borders like temple wall art.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: transform the household into a devotional stage with lotus motifs and ornate floral borders; Tulādhāra with balance at center, brāhmaṇa and pativratā as attendants of dharma; deep blues and gold accents, peacock-feather patterns, lamp motifs, intricate textile detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","oil-lamp crackle","gentle indoor silence","distant birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गेहोदराकाशे = गेह + उदर + आकाशे; viprotiśobhanaḥ = विप्र + अति + शोभनः; tulādhāraśirasyapi = तुलाधारशिरसि + अपि (अन्त्य-इ + अ → य).
FAQs
Tulādhāra literally means “the bearer of a balance,” commonly indicating a merchant or householder associated with weighing goods; the verse situates a dharmic scene within his household.
Pativratā highlights the ideal of marital fidelity and devoted conduct within household dharma, portraying the wife as an embodiment of ethical steadfastness.
The verse suggests the sanctity of the householder’s space when it supports dharma—honoring holy persons (vipras) and upholding virtuous domestic conduct.