Shloka 108
Origin of the Lunar Dynasty: Soma’s Rise, the Tārā Abduction War, Budha–Purūravas Genealogy, and Kārtavīrya Arjuna
पूर्वं बाहुसहस्रं तु स वव्रे राजसत्तमः । अधर्मं ध्यायमानस्य भीतिश्चापि निवारणम्
pūrvaṃ bāhusahasraṃ tu sa vavre rājasattamaḥ | adharmaṃ dhyāyamānasya bhītiścāpi nivāraṇam
ముందుగా ఆ రాజశ్రేష్ఠుడు వరంగా సహస్ర భుజములను కోరెను; అలాగే మనసులో అధర్మాన్ని ధ్యానించువానికీ భయనివారణం కలుగునట్లు వరం కోరెను.
Unspecified narrator (contextual speaker not provided in the single-verse excerpt)
Concept: Boons amplify intention: power and fearlessness, if coupled with adharma, become spiritually dangerous and socially destructive.
Application: When seeking ‘strength’ (status, influence, confidence), also cultivate accountability—scriptural study, satsanga, and self-audit—so fearlessness does not become shamelessness.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A young Kārttavīrya stands before Datta, his silhouette multiplying into a thousand-armed aura like a living mandala of weapons and hands. Behind him, a shadowy suggestion of adharma—smoke-like forms—contrasts with a calm, luminous blessing that removes fear, creating a striking moral chiaroscuro.","primary_figures":["Kārttavīrya Arjuna","Datta (Dattātreya as boon-giver)"],"setting":"Hermitage clearing that subtly transforms into a cosmic backdrop where the thousand arms appear as a radiant halo of limbs; minimal props to emphasize the boon’s metaphysical nature.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["burnished gold","storm-cloud gray","crimson","deep indigo","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Kārttavīrya with a stylized thousand-armed aureole rendered in layered gold leaf arcs; Datta seated frontally with ornate crown and prabhāmaṇḍala, blessing gesture prominent; contrasting background—rich maroon with dark smoky motifs hinting at adharma; heavy jewelry, gem-like highlights, symmetrical composition, gold leaf on arms, halo, and borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined depiction of Kārttavīrya receiving the boon—his many arms suggested as translucent repetitions rather than literal clutter; Datta serene, eyes compassionate; cool blues and soft reds, delicate linework, a quiet forest with a pale river ribbon; moral tension shown through subtle shadow forms at the edge of the frame.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and iconic clarity—Kārttavīrya’s multiple arms arranged like a fan behind him, each holding a symbolic gesture; Datta in central seated posture with bright red-yellow-green palette; stylized smoke motifs for adharma at the margins; temple-wall border patterns and strong frontal gaze.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a central devotional tableau with a circular mandala of repeated arms forming a floral-wheel pattern; Datta at the center with lotus motifs; dark indigo ground with gold and white detailing; ornate border of vines and lotuses, peacocks at corners, the ‘fearlessness’ boon suggested by protective motifs (conch/lotus patterns) around the devotee."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low drum pulse","conch shell","temple bells","brief silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bāhusahasraṃ (समास); rājasattamaḥ = rāja-sattamaḥ; bhītiścāpi = bhītiḥ + ca + api (visarga sandhi).
FAQs
It highlights a king seeking extraordinary power (a thousand arms) alongside a psychological/ethical safeguard: the warding off of fear connected with thoughts of adharma.
By mentioning “contemplating adharma,” it points to the moral weight of inner intention (what one dwells upon mentally), not only outward acts.
Power is sought, but so is freedom from fear—suggesting that unchecked desire or unrighteous intent can generate inner turmoil, and that rulers are cautioned to align power with dharma.