Shloka 8
The Meeting with Agastya
Rāma Praised by the Gods; Phalaśruti; Ideal Reign; Prelude to Agastya’s Arrival
यदा यदास्मान्दनुजाहि दुःखदास्तदा तदा त्वं भुवि जन्मभाग्भवेः । अजोऽव्ययोऽपीशवरोऽपि सन्विभो स्वभावमास्थाय निजं निजार्चितः
yadā yadāsmāndanujāhi duḥkhadāstadā tadā tvaṃ bhuvi janmabhāgbhaveḥ | ajo'vyayo'pīśavaro'pi sanvibho svabhāvamāsthāya nijaṃ nijārcitaḥ
เมื่อใดเมื่อใดที่พวกทนุชะก่อทุกข์แก่เรา เมื่อนั้นเมื่อนั้นพระองค์ทรงอุบัติบนแผ่นดินโลก โอ้ผู้แผ่ซ่านทั่ว แม้ทรงเป็นอชะ ไม่เสื่อมสูญ และเป็นอีศวรแท้ พระองค์ก็ทรงรับสภาพธรรมชาติของพระองค์เอง และทรงได้รับการบูชาจากภักตะของพระองค์เอง
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context-dependent within Pātālakhaṇḍa dialogues)
Concept: The unborn, imperishable Lord freely takes birth by his own will to relieve suffering and protect devotees.
Application: Interpret recurring life ‘crises’ as invitations to deepen devotion: remember the Lord’s protective pattern, keep steady sādhana, and act dharmically even under pressure.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cyclical tableau shows the earth darkening under Danuja tyranny, then brightening as the Lord descends—unborn yet appearing in a chosen form—surrounded by a halo that steadies the trembling devas. Devotees on the ground lift lamps and Tulasi-like offerings, while the sky opens like a lotus to receive the avatāra.","primary_figures":["Vishnu (avatāra-descending)","Danujas (as shadowy oppressors)","Devas","Human devotees"],"setting":"Earthly landscape with a threatened city/forest edge, and a celestial opening above; visual contrast between oppression and restoration.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["storm-gray","sunrise gold","deep indigo","vermillion","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vishnu descending in a radiant oval prabhāmaṇḍala, crowned and jeweled, with gold leaf rays; below, devas and devotees in añjali; Danujas rendered as darker figures at the margins; ornate arch, lotus base, rich reds/greens, embossed gold detailing emphasizing avatāra majesty.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: split-scene narrative—left side shows Danujas causing distress, right side shows the Lord’s descent bringing calm; delicate clouds, soft gradients, refined faces, lyrical trees and rivers implied; cool palette with a warm golden center around the avatāra.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: central Vishnu figure with bold outlines and large eyes, descending amid stylized clouds; devas in symmetrical rows; Danujas as angular, darker-toned figures; flat yet powerful color blocks in red/yellow/green with deep blue skin tone.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus medallion with Vishnu descending; surrounding circular border panels depict repeated ‘whenever’ cycles of protection; abundant floral vines, peacocks, and gold accents; devotional crowd below with lamps, emphasizing recurring grace."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","mridangam pulse","temple bells","wind through trees","crowd murmur fading into silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यदा यदा+अस्मान्→यदा यदास्मान्; दुःखदाः+तदा→दुःखदास्तदा; अजो+अव्ययः+अपि→अजोऽव्ययोऽपि; ईश्वरः+अपि→ईशवरोऽपि; स्वभावम्+आस्थाय→स्वभावमास्थाय; निजम्+निजार्चितः→निजं निजार्चितः.
FAQs
It states that when demonic forces (Danujas) oppress beings, the Lord repeatedly assumes birth on earth—despite being unborn and imperishable—indicating compassionate, purpose-driven incarnation for restoring dharma.
The verse presents the classical Purāṇic view: the Lord is intrinsically unborn and changeless, but manifests in the world by adopting a form through divine power, without losing transcendence.
It encourages trust that divine help arises when suffering and adharma intensify, and it emphasizes devotion—since the manifested Lord is ‘worshipped by his own devotees’ who recognize his protecting role.