Shloka 15
The Episode of Vena: Purification, the ‘Vāsudevābhidhā’ Hymn, and the Dharma of Charity
Times, Tīrthas, Worthy Recipients
सर्वसौख्यप्रदं नॄणां पठतां जपतां सदा । उपादिशं महाभाग विष्णुप्रीतिकरं परम्
sarvasaukhyapradaṃ nṝṇāṃ paṭhatāṃ japatāṃ sadā | upādiśaṃ mahābhāga viṣṇuprītikaraṃ param
“โอ้ผู้มีบุญวาสนายิ่ง โปรดสอนสิ่งสูงสุดนั้นแก่ข้าพเจ้า ซึ่งย่อมประทานความสุขทั้งปวงแก่ผู้สาธยายและภาวนาอยู่เสมอ และเป็นที่พอพระทัยพระวิษณุอย่างยิ่ง”
Unspecified (a disciple/questioner addressing a revered interlocutor as “mahābhāga”).
Concept: Regular recitation and japa bring well-being and, more importantly, please Viṣṇu; the seeker prioritizes Viṣṇu-prīti over mere worldly gain.
Application: Choose one short daily recitation (stotra/mantra) and keep it consistent; measure success by increased humility, steadiness, and compassion rather than only external ‘happiness’.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devoted seeker kneels with folded hands before a venerable teacher, lips poised as if ready for japa, eyes bright with earnest longing. Between them rests a small altar with a conch and a lamp, symbolizing Viṣṇu-prīti as the goal. The atmosphere is intimate—guidance about to be given that will shape a lifetime of practice.","primary_figures":["Devotee-seeker","Sage-teacher"],"setting":"Hermitage courtyard or temple side-hall with a simple altar","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm saffron","sandstone beige","deep blue","copper glow","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: devotee in añjali-mudrā before a richly adorned guru, small altar with lamp and conch, gold leaf highlights on halos and ornaments, saturated reds/greens, patterned textiles, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle hillside-ashram setting, delicate brushwork on faces and hands, soft dawn light, minimal altar objects, lyrical naturalism, cool greens and warm saffron accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized eyes, devotee and guru in clear gestures of request and blessing, flat pigment fields, decorative border motifs, lamp flame emphasized in red/yellow.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central altar with lamp, devotee and guru flanking, ornate floral borders and lotus motifs, deep blue background with gold accents, devotional symmetry reminiscent of Nathdwara textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft bells","rustling leaves","distant birds","tanpura drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वसौख्यप्रदं = सर्व+सौख्य+प्रदम् (समास); विष्णुप्रीतिकरं = विष्णु+प्रीति+करम् (समास).
FAQs
The speaker asks to be taught a supreme mantra or devotional practice that can be recited (pāṭha) and repeated as japa, said to grant well-being and to please Viṣṇu.
It frames spiritual practice as something that primarily aims at “Viṣṇu’s pleasure” (viṣṇu-prīti), a hallmark of bhakti-oriented motivation rather than mere ritual performance.
It recommends steady, continual practice—regular recitation and japa—presented as a reliable means to cultivate auspiciousness and inner welfare.