Shloka 10
The Destruction of Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
आलोक्य सर्वतो भूमिं समंताद्दशयोजनम् । महावेदी कृता तत्र सर्वैस्तत्र समन्वितैः
ālokya sarvato bhūmiṃ samaṃtāddaśayojanam | mahāvedī kṛtā tatra sarvaistatra samanvitaiḥ
చుట్టూ పది యోజనాల మేర భూమిని పరిశీలించి, అక్కడ సమవేతులైన వారందరూ కలిసి ఆ స్థలంలో మహావేదికను నిర్మించారు.
Narrator (contextual; specific dialogue speaker not explicit in this single verse)
Concept: Sacred action begins with right orientation: surveying, delimiting, and then building the altar—outer order supports inner purity.
Application: Before any vow, worship, or major decision, create a clean boundary: choose a place, remove distractions, set intention, then act steadily with others in harmony.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast consecrated plain is being surveyed in a perfect circle, marked with flags and sacred cords, while priests and devas’ attendants raise a grand mahāvedī of packed earth and bricks. The altar glows with fresh kuśa grass, pots of water, and orderly ritual implements, suggesting the universe being ‘set’ into harmony through measured space.","primary_figures":["ṛtvij priests","assembled devas (silhouetted)","ritual attendants","architect-priest (sthāpaka)"],"setting":"Open yajña-field with boundary markers, freshly built earthen-brick mahāvedī, kuśa strewn platforms, water pots, ladles, and a partially raised maṇḍapa frame.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron ochre","earth brown","sandalwood beige","smoke gray","golden yellow"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a grand mahāvedī centered in a symmetrical composition, priests in white with red borders placing kuśa and kalashas, distant devas hinted with halos; heavy gold leaf on altar edges and ritual vessels, rich vermilion and emerald accents, ornate borders with lotus motifs, gem-studded ornaments on ceremonial objects.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate survey of the yajña-field with tiny figures measuring a ten-yojana circle using cords and flags, soft hills on the horizon, lyrical sky wash, refined faces of priests, muted ochres and cool blues, intricate detailing of kuśa, ladles, and patterned textiles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments showing the mahāvedī and maṇḍapa framework, priests with stylized eyes and jewelry, rhythmic repetition of ritual objects, dominant warm reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall aesthetic with decorative creeper borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a ceremonial field framed by lotus and vine borders, central altar surrounded by concentric floral patterns symbolizing the ten-yojana sanctum, peacocks perched on boundary poles, deep indigo background with gold highlights on vessels and sacred cords."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low Vedic chanting","wooden measuring staff taps","temple bells in distance","soft wind over grass","crackle of kindling"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: समंताद्दशयोजनम् = समन्तात् + दशयोजनम्; सर्वैस्तत्र = सर्वैः + तत्र. अन्यत्र स्पष्ट-सन्धि नहीं।
FAQs
It frames a sanctified ritual zone as measurable and expansive—ten yojanas in extent—suggesting that sacred activity (like yajña) is tied to a deliberately chosen and ritually defined landscape.
While not explicitly devotional in this line, it supports a Purāṇic theme: collective, orderly ritual action in a consecrated place prepares the ground for later theological revelations and devotional outcomes.
The verse highlights unity and cooperation—“all assembled together”—as a virtue, implying that sacred aims are best pursued through collective responsibility and harmonious participation.