Shloka 20
The Episode of Vena: Pṛthu’s Counsel, Royal Proclamation, and Brahmā’s Boon
तथा कुरुष्व देवेश वरं दातुं यदीच्छसि । ददस्व उत्तमं कामं चतुर्मुखनमोऽस्तु ते
tathā kuruṣva deveśa varaṃ dātuṃ yadīcchasi | dadasva uttamaṃ kāmaṃ caturmukhanamo'stu te
தேவேசனே, வரம் அளிக்க விரும்பினால் அவ்வாறே செய்; எனக்கு மிக உயர்ந்த விரும்பிய வரத்தை அருள்வாயாக. நான்முகனே, உனக்கு நமஸ்காரம்।
Unspecified devotee/supplicant addressing Brahmā (Caturmukha)
Concept: Approach the divine with humility, clarity of intention, and reverent praise; the ‘highest boon’ is framed as moral-spiritual uplift rather than mere worldly gain.
Application: When asking for help—spiritual or practical—state the request plainly, keep it aligned with dharma, and cultivate gratitude and reverence rather than entitlement.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A supplicant stands before four-faced Brahmā seated on a lotus throne, palms joined, voice steady as he requests the ‘uttama kāma’—the highest blessing. The four faces look in the cardinal directions, suggesting omniscient discernment, while swans and Vedic manuscripts hover as symbols of wisdom.","primary_figures":["Brahmā (Caturmukha)","supplicant devotee","Haṃsa (Brahmā’s vehicle)"],"setting":"Lotus dais in a serene cosmic hall with floating manuscripts, rosaries, and subtle mandala geometry; a calm, ordered space of creation.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sunrise gold","ivory","vermillion","sky blue","sage green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Brahmā Caturmukha on a lotus throne with gold leaf halo and embossed ornaments, the devotee in añjali at the lower right, haṃsas flanking, rich vermillion and emerald textiles, gem-like detailing and symmetrical temple-arch framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate Brahmā with four serene faces, soft dawn light, lotus throne and swans rendered with fine linework, the devotee modestly dressed, cool blues and warm golds balanced, refined facial expressions and gentle spatial depth.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Brahmā with bold outlines and stylized eyes, lotus pedestal, swans and palm-leaf manuscript motifs, strong red-yellow-green palette, the devotee in humble posture, mural-like flatness with rhythmic ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate lotus borders and floral filigree, central lotus throne with Brahmā, surrounding swans and manuscript motifs as repeating patterns, deep blues and gold accents, the devotee at the bottom register offering salutations."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft bell chimes","gentle swan calls (stylized)","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यदीच्छसि = यदि + इच्छसि; चतुर्मुखनमोऽस्तु = चतुर्मुखनमः + अस्तु (विसर्ग-सन्धि); अन्यत्र पदच्छेदः यथावत्।
FAQs
'Caturmukha' means 'four-faced' and is a common epithet of Brahmā, the creator deity in Hindu tradition.
It is a direct supplication: the speaker requests that the deity grant a boon—specifically the 'uttama kāma', the highest or best desired blessing—while offering respectful salutations.
It models reverent petition: one asks for blessings with humility and honorific praise, implying that requests should be framed with respect and oriented toward the 'highest' good rather than trivial gain.