Shloka 173
Narasiṃha’s Greatness and the Slaying of Hiraṇyakaśipu
Boon, Portents, and Cosmic Restoration
प्राग्ज्योतिषपुरं चापि जातरूपमयं शुभम् । यस्मिन्नुवास दुष्टात्मा नरको नाम दानवः
prāgjyotiṣapuraṃ cāpi jātarūpamayaṃ śubham | yasminnuvāsa duṣṭātmā narako nāma dānavaḥ
ప్రాగ్జ్యోతిషపురము అనే శుభనగరము కూడా ఉండెను, అది స్వర్ణమయము; అందులో నరకుడు అనే దుష్టాత్మ దానవుడు నివసించెను.
Unspecified narrator (Purāṇic narration within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa; exact dialogue-speaker not indicated by this single verse)
Concept: External prosperity (even ‘golden’ splendor) does not guarantee virtue; adharma can dwell in opulence, and only devotion and righteousness sanctify a place.
Application: Examine motives behind success; cultivate humility and ethical restraint so prosperity becomes service rather than ego.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant city of gold—Prāgjyotiṣa—gleams under a heavy sky, its ramparts embossed with celestial motifs, yet an ominous stillness hangs over its streets. In a high palace balcony, Naraka the dānava broods amid heaps of treasure, while distant temple lamps seem dimmed by his shadow.","primary_figures":["Naraka (Narakāsura)","City guardians","Distant, implied presence of Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa as destiny"],"setting":"Golden-walled city with ornate gates, palace terraces, treasure chambers, and watchtowers","lighting_mood":"divine radiance veiled by foreboding clouds","color_palette":["molten gold","storm gray","lapis blue","smoky purple","ivory"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Prāgjyotiṣa rendered as a gold-leaf cityscape with embossed ramparts and jeweled arches, Naraka seated on a throne amid treasure, rich maroons and greens in textiles, gem-studded ornaments, dramatic cloud canopy, ornate border with lotus and chakra motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate golden city with fine linework, cool shadowed courtyards, Naraka portrayed with refined yet stern features, atmospheric clouds, tiny figures in streets, lyrical contrast between splendor and moral tension.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of golden palace architecture, Naraka in strong frontal pose with characteristic large eyes, patterned jewelry, stylized clouds and banners, earthy reds/yellows/greens with gold accents.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical golden city framed by floral borders, deep blue sky field, intricate lotus vines, peacocks perched on parapets, central palace balcony with Naraka, subtle chakra motifs hinting at Viṣṇu’s impending restoration."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["distant drums","wind over ramparts","soft bell muffled","low drone","occasional thunder"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्राग्ज्योतिषपुरं = प्राग्ज्योतिष-पुरम्; चापि = च + अपि; जातरूपमयं = जातरूप-मयम्; यस्मिन्नुवास = यस्मिन् + उवास.
FAQs
It depicts Prāgjyotiṣa as a splendid, auspicious city described as “made of gold,” and identifies it as the dwelling place of the demon Naraka.
Naraka is named as a dānava (demon) characterized as duṣṭātmā—wicked in nature—who resides in Prāgjyotiṣapura.
The verse juxtaposes an outwardly “auspicious” and dazzling golden city with the presence of a morally corrupt inhabitant, underscoring that splendor does not equal virtue.