Shloka 47
The Episode of Cyavana
Cyavana’s Hermitage and the Power of Tapas
गत्वा तत्र तपस्तेपे वर्षाणामयुतं महान् । अंसयोः किंशुकौ जातौ वल्मीकोपरिशोभितौ
gatvā tatra tapastepe varṣāṇāmayutaṃ mahān | aṃsayoḥ kiṃśukau jātau valmīkopariśobhitau
ครั้นไปถึงที่นั่น มหาบุรุษได้บำเพ็ญตบะตลอดหนึ่งหมื่นปี บนบ่าทั้งสองของท่านได้งอกต้นกิṃศุกะสองต้น งดงามด้วยจอมปลวก (วาลมีกะ) ที่เกาะอยู่เหนือมัน
Unspecified narrator (contextually within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue in the Pātālakhaṇḍa)
Concept: Tapas is portrayed as world-altering concentration: when the mind becomes unwavering, nature mirrors that stillness—time condenses into visible signs (valmīka, trees) and spiritual potency accumulates.
Application: Deep practice requires long horizons: commit to steady disciplines (japa, study, service) until they reshape habits; accept that real change may look ‘slow’ externally but becomes profound internally.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On the Narmadā’s quiet bank, the great ascetic stands or sits utterly motionless for ages, his shoulders crowned by two blooming kiṁśuka trees with fiery orange-red blossoms. An anthill rises around and upon him like a natural shrine, while disciples watch from a respectful distance, the river flowing on as a timeless witness to his concentration.","primary_figures":["Great ascetic (mahān tapasvī)","Disciples (witnesses)","Kīmśuka trees (Palāśa)","Valmīka (anthill as sacred form)"],"setting":"Riverbank austerity site with smooth stones, sparse grass, distant forest line, and the broad Revā flowing steadily.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["palāśa flame-orange","river jade","anthill umber","bark brown","sky pearl-gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: immobile ascetic at Revā bank with two kiṁśuka trees sprouting from shoulders, gold leaf on blossoms and river highlights, rich reds/greens, ornate border with lotus and flame motifs, gem-like detailing on disciples’ vessels, iconic frontal composition emphasizing miracle and sanctity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate naturalism—palāśa blossoms rendered with fine strokes, anthill textured subtly, cool river palette with warm floral contrast, disciples in quiet poses, expansive lyrical landscape suggesting vast time.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized palāśa clusters, ascetic as central iconic figure with patterned anthill base, red/yellow/green palette, temple-wall narrative emphasis on miraculous tapas sign.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central ascetic framed by ornate floral borders, palāśa blossoms integrated into border motifs, deep blue ground with gold accents, river as decorative band with lotus clusters, peacocks at corners, devotional symmetry conveying tapas-mahima."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["deep silence","steady river flow","occasional wind through blossoms","distant temple bell","low drone (tanpura-like)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तपस्तेपे = तपः + तेपे (विसर्ग-लोप). वर्षाणामयुतं = वर्षाणाम् + अयुतम् (म् + अ → म). वल्मीकोपरिशोभितौ = वल्मीका + उपरि + शोभितौ (आ + उ → ओ; समास/संधि).
FAQs
It uses the Purāṇic convention of vast time-spans to emphasize extraordinary endurance and the transformative power of prolonged austerity.
The imagery suggests extreme stillness and absorption in penance—so motionless that vegetation can grow and an anthill can form, marking deep ascetic intensity.
The verse highlights steadfast discipline and perseverance: sustained spiritual effort is portrayed as capable of producing remarkable, even nature-altering, results.