Shloka 16
The Destruction of Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
मुखं यः सर्वदेवानां जंतूनामुदरे स्थितः । वेदा यदर्थमुत्पन्नास्सोयं यज्ञमुपागतः
mukhaṃ yaḥ sarvadevānāṃ jaṃtūnāmudare sthitaḥ | vedā yadarthamutpannāssoyaṃ yajñamupāgataḥ
యెవడు సమస్త దేవతల ముఖస్వరూపుడై, జీవుల ఉదరములో నివసించుచున్నాడో; యెవని నిమిత్తమై వేదములు ఉద్భవించెనో, ఆ యే వాడు ఇక్కడ యజ్ఞరూపముగా వచ్చియున్నాడు।
Unspecified (narrative voice not provided in the excerpt; likely a narrator within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa)
Concept: The Supreme is the inner consumer and sanctifier of offerings—present as Yajña, the purpose for which the Vedas arise.
Application: Offer food, speech, and work as sacred acts; cultivate gratitude before eating (anna as offering) and see daily duties as yajña to the indwelling Lord.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The sacrifice is visualized as a living cosmic being: a radiant Yajña-Puruṣa stands above the altar, while within translucent silhouettes of creatures a warm inner fire glows, showing the divine ‘mouth’ digesting offerings. Vedic hymns appear as luminous script-ribbons spiraling from the sky into the sacrificial flames.","primary_figures":["Yajña-Puruṣa (Vishnu as Sacrifice)","Vedic rishis chanting","Agni (sacrificial fire personified)","assembled devas"],"setting":"cosmic yajña-vedi blending into a visionary panorama of living beings as micro-altars","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","molten gold","smoke gray","ivory white","lotus pink"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vishnu as Yajña-Puruṣa with a grand gold halo standing at the vedi, Agni blazing with stylized tongues of flame, priests offering ghee; gold leaf everywhere, rich crimson backdrop, ornate arch, Vedic mantra bands as decorative motifs, gem-like highlights on ornaments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: ethereal scene where the yajña ground opens into a subtle vision—transparent figures of animals and humans with inner fire, delicate smoke, fine calligraphic Vedic ribbons; cool blues and soft pinks, refined faces of sages, lyrical trees and distant hills.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: central Yajña-Puruṣa with bold outlines, large eyes, symmetrical composition; Agni and devas arranged in tiers, strong reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall texture, ornamental borders with mantra-like patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central altar with Vishnu-Yajña motif, surrounded by lotus medallions containing tiny scenes of beings with inner fire; deep indigo ground, gold detailing, intricate floral borders, peacocks and sacred cows as auspicious frame elements."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["low temple drone","crackling fire","silence","soft bell","distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जंतूनामुदरे→जन्तूनाम् उदरे; यदर्थमुत्पन्नास्सोयं→यत् अर्थम् उत्पन्नाः सः अयम्; यज्ञमुपागतः→यज्ञम् उपागतः।
FAQs
The verse points to Yajña (sacrifice) as a divine reality—through which the gods ‘eat’ offerings—also identified as an indwelling cosmic principle present within beings.
It suggests the Vedas arose for the sake of realizing and sustaining this supreme principle (here expressed as Yajña), linking revelation (Veda) with cosmic order and worship.
It elevates sacrifice from mere ritual to a reverent orientation of life—seeing offering, discipline, and gratitude as ways to align oneself with the sustaining divine order.