Shloka 4
The Tale of Kāmodā and Vihuṇḍa: Tear-Born Lotuses on the Gaṅgā and the Ethics of Worship
नारद उवाच । शृणु देवि प्रवक्ष्यामि यत्कृतं तेन चक्रिणा । भृगोरग्रे प्रतिज्ञातं यज्ञरक्षां करोम्यहम्
nārada uvāca | śṛṇu devi pravakṣyāmi yatkṛtaṃ tena cakriṇā | bhṛgoragre pratijñātaṃ yajñarakṣāṃ karomyaham
นารทกล่าวว่า “ข้าแต่เทวี จงสดับเถิด เราจักเล่าว่าพระผู้ทรงจักรได้กระทำสิ่งใด ต่อหน้าฤๅษีภฤคุ พระองค์ได้ปฏิญาณว่า ‘เราจักพิทักษ์ยัญพิธี’”
Nārada
Concept: The Lord voluntarily binds Himself by a vow to protect dharma (here, yajña), demonstrating that His ‘entry’ into worldly affairs is compassion and guardianship, not karmic compulsion.
Application: Keep promises made in sacred contexts; protect communal goodness (ritual, charity, learning) from disruption; let duty be guided by devotion rather than ego.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Nārada, radiant and intent, addresses a Devī-like figure in a sanctified grove, recounting the moment the discus-bearing Lord made His vow before Bhṛgu. In a secondary vignette within the same frame, Viṣṇu stands at the edge of a blazing fire-altar, cakra gleaming, as Bhṛgu and priests look on—smoke curling upward like a promise made visible.","primary_figures":["Nārada","Devī (listener addressed as ‘devi’)","Vishnu (Cakrin/Govinda)","Bhṛgu","ṛtvij priests"],"setting":"A yajña-śālā with fire altar, ladles, kusa grass, and offering bowls; narrative foreground as a dialogue in a nearby hermitage.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["flame orange","sandalwood beige","cakra gold","peacock blue","ash grey"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: split narrative panel—foreground Nārada speaking to Devī with vīṇā and ornate jewelry; background Viṣṇu as Cakrin beside a roaring yajña fire, Bhṛgu and priests in white, gold leaf flames and halo, rich reds/greens, gem-studded ornaments, carved arch and lotus borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical yajña scene with delicate smoke trails, Bhṛgu’s calm face, Viṣṇu’s blue form with a subtle shining cakra; Nārada narrating to Devī under a flowering tree, cool yet luminous palette, fine textile patterns and gentle landscape depth.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, prominent expressive eyes; Viṣṇu with cakra and conch near stylized fire altar, Bhṛgu and priests in rhythmic arrangement; Nārada addressing Devī at side, warm reds/yellows/greens with black contouring, mural border motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central yajña-kunda with symmetrical offerings, lotus borders and hanging garlands; Viṣṇu as Cakrin in blue with gold highlights, Bhṛgu and priests arranged like a devotional tableau; intricate floral frame, deep blue background with flame-orange accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling sacred fire","mantra chanting chorus","temple bells","conch shell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yatkṛtaṃ → yat + kṛtam; bhṛgoragre → bhṛgoḥ + agre; karomyaham → karomi + aham.
FAQs
“Cakrin” commonly denotes Viṣṇu, identified by his Sudarśana discus, and here refers to the Lord who undertakes the protection of the sacrifice.
The verse highlights fidelity to a vow (pratijñā) and the duty to safeguard sacred rites (yajña-rakṣā) from disruption—an expression of dharma through protection of religious order.
By foregrounding Viṣṇu as the protector of yajña and the upholder of promises, the verse reinforces a Vaishnava view of the Lord as guardian of cosmic and ritual order.