Shloka 17
Yayāti’s Summons to Heaven and the Teaching on Old Age, the Five-Element Body, and Self–Body Discernment
सहस्राक्षस्ततोपश्यद्धुताशनसमप्रभम् । देवो विप्रं समायांतं सर्वज्ञं ज्ञानपंडितम्
sahasrākṣastatopaśyaddhutāśanasamaprabham | devo vipraṃ samāyāṃtaṃ sarvajñaṃ jñānapaṃḍitam
அப்போது ஆயிரக்கண் இந்திரன், தீப்பொறிபோல் ஒளிரும், அனைத்தையும் அறிந்த ஞானப் பண்டிதனான அந்தப் பிராமணர் வருவதைக் கண்டான்.
Narrator (contextual; not explicitly marked in the single verse)
Concept: Spiritual knowledge manifests as tejas: the knower (sarvajña, jñāna-paṇḍita) is perceived as ‘fire-like’ radiance, compelling respect from even the king of gods.
Application: Value inner clarity and learning; cultivate humility before wisdom, regardless of social position.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In Indra’s jeweled hall, Sahasrākṣa turns as a radiant brāhmaṇa-sage approaches—Nārada glowing like a living flame, veena slung across his shoulder. Courtiers and apsarās pause mid-motion, their ornaments catching the fire-like light, as Indra’s expression shifts from royal ease to reverent attention.","primary_figures":["Indra (Sahasrākṣa/Purandara)","Nārada","apsarās","gandharvas","deva-courtiers"],"setting":"Indra’s celestial sabhā with jeweled pillars, lotus pools, and cloud-like floors; throne dais with vajra emblem","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["molten gold","ruby red","sapphire blue","smoky white","emerald"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Indra on a jeweled throne with vajra, turning toward Nārada who shines like fire; gold-leaf radiance around Nārada, gem-studded ornaments, rich reds and greens, ornate archways and symmetrical court attendants.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate depiction of Indra’s court with refined faces; Nārada’s glow rendered as soft aureole; cool blues and jewel tones, intricate textile patterns, airy palace architecture with cloud terraces.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; Indra and Nārada in iconic poses; Nārada’s tejas as stylized flame halo; patterned pillars and lotus borders, strong red/yellow/green palette with rhythmic court arrangement.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Nārada with flame-like aureole, surrounded by lotus motifs and ornate borders; deep indigo background with gold highlights; celestial musicians and peacocks integrated into the border, emphasizing devotional music (veena) as the heart of the scene."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["sudden hush","celestial chimes","veena resonance","conch shell (soft)","echoing palace ambience"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सहस्राक्षः+ततः→सहस्राक्षस्ततः; ततः+अपश्यत्→ततोपश्यत्; अपश्यत्+हुताशनसमप्रभम्→अपश्यद्धुताशनसमप्रभम् (द्+ह→द्ध).
FAQs
“Sahasrākṣa” is an epithet of Indra, the king of the devas, literally “the thousand-eyed one.”
It describes the approaching brāhmaṇa as shining with a brilliance comparable to fire, suggesting spiritual radiance and awe-inspiring presence.
The verse highlights reverence for true knowledge: an all-knowing, learned brāhmaṇa is portrayed as inherently luminous, implying that wisdom and spiritual attainment command recognition even from gods.