Shloka 53
Slaying of Andhaka; Hymn to the Sun; Glory of Brahmins; Gayatri Nyasa and Pranayama
ये दद्रुकुष्ठपिटिकादिभिरर्दितांगाः शीर्णत्वचः कुनखिनश्च्युतकेशनाशाः । देवेश तेपि तवपादनता भवंति सद्यो द्विरष्टशरदाकृतयो मनुष्याः
ye dadrukuṣṭhapiṭikādibhirarditāṃgāḥ śīrṇatvacaḥ kunakhinaścyutakeśanāśāḥ | deveśa tepi tavapādanatā bhavaṃti sadyo dviraṣṭaśaradākṛtayo manuṣyāḥ
దద్దురు, కుష్ఠు, పిటికలు మొదలైన వ్యాధులతో శరీరం బాధపడుతూ, చర్మం క్షీణించి, గోళ్లు రోగగ్రస్తమై, జుట్టు రాలిపోయినవారైనా—హే దేవేశా! వారు మీ పాదాలకు నమస్కరించగానే తక్షణమే పదహారు ఏళ్ల యౌవనరూపంతో మనుష్యులవుతారు।
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context required from surrounding verses).
Concept: Even severe afflictions are swiftly alleviated by śaraṇāgati—bowing at the Lord’s feet—revealing divine compassion and restorative grace.
Application: When facing illness or stigma, combine practical care with inner surrender: daily prayer, humility, and service; treat the suffering with reverence, not disgust.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A line of afflicted devotees—skin scarred, hair fallen, bodies weakened—approach the Lord’s feet with trembling hands and bowed heads. As their foreheads touch the divine feet, a wave of light passes through them, restoring youthful radiance; the atmosphere shifts from sorrow to astonished relief.","primary_figures":["The Lord (as Devēśa)","Afflicted devotees seeking refuge","Attendant sages/priests (optional)"],"setting":"Temple threshold or sacred courtyard with a low step before the sanctum; offerings of flowers and water nearby.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm gold","sandalwood tan","healing white","deep maroon","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the Lord seated with prominent lotus feet in the foreground, gold leaf aura; afflicted devotees kneeling, then shown transformed with youthful glow; rich reds/greens, ornate temple pillars, gem-like highlights emphasizing miraculous healing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate temple courtyard scene; delicate expressions of suffering turning to relief; soft lamp light, restrained palette with gentle gold accents, refined linework showing transformation subtly through posture and complexion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, expressive eyes; devotees in two registers—afflicted and healed—around the Lord’s feet; strong red/yellow/green palette, patterned floor and border motifs, ritual realism within mural conventions.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central focus on lotus feet with floral radiance spreading outward; devotees arranged symmetrically, transformation indicated by brighter garments and halos; intricate floral borders, deep blues and gold, devotional textile richness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["soft sobbing hush","temple bells","gentle mridangam pulse","conch shell (after miracle)","incense crackle"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: piṭikādibhirarditāṃgāḥ → piṭikā-ādibhiḥ ardita-aṅgāḥ; kunakhinaścyuta- → ku-nakhinaḥ cyuta-; tepi → te api; tavapādanatā → tava pāda-natāḥ; dviraṣṭa- interpreted as dvi-aṣṭa (16) in dvigu compound.
FAQs
It emphasizes the purifying and restorative power of devotion—specifically, humble surrender at the Lord’s feet—portrayed as capable of reversing severe bodily afflictions and restoring youthful vitality.
The act of 'pāda-nati' (bowing at the feet) is presented as sufficient in itself, highlighting grace (anugraha) obtained through reverence and surrender rather than through complex rites alone.
Within Purāṇic style it can be read literally as a miracle of divine grace, and also symbolically: diseases represent spiritual impurity and suffering, while renewed youth signifies restoration, purity, and auspiciousness gained through devotion.