Shloka 137
The Greatness of Puṣkara: Tripuṣkara Pilgrimage, Sacred Geography, and the Doctrine of Self-Restraint
तेभिगम्य महात्मानं मैत्रावरुणिमुत्तमम् । अप्रमत्तं तपोराशिं कर्मभिः स्वैरनुष्ठितैः
tebhigamya mahātmānaṃ maitrāvaruṇimuttamam | apramattaṃ taporāśiṃ karmabhiḥ svairanuṣṭhitaiḥ
ครั้นแล้วเขาทั้งหลายได้เข้าไปเฝ้ามหาตมันั้น คือ ไมตราวรุณีผู้ประเสริฐ ผู้ไม่ประมาท เป็นดุจคลังแห่งตบะ ด้วยกรรมอันประกอบตามวินัยอันเหมาะสมของตน
Narrator (contextual; specific dialogue-pair not explicit from this single verse)
Concept: Approach the spiritually great with alertness and with actions aligned to one’s own prescribed discipline; dharma is enacted, not merely spoken.
Application: When seeking help, come prepared—practice your duties well, be attentive, and show respect through conduct rather than entitlement.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The devas step into the hermitage with measured humility, hands folded, their brilliance subdued before the concentrated glow of Maitrāvaruṇi’s austerity. The sage appears as a still mountain of tapas—calm eyes, matted hair, and a subtle aura—while the visitors’ disciplined posture shows they come through rightful deeds, not demand.","primary_figures":["Maitrāvaruṇi (Agastya/Varuṇa-lineage sage)","Devas (petitioners)","Ṛṣis (background attendants)"],"setting":"Hermitage interior: kusa seats, yajña fire, water pot (kamaṇḍalu), deer-skin, sacred trees and a quiet boundary of silence","lighting_mood":"forest dappled with inner radiance","color_palette":["ochre","leaf green","smoky white","indigo","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Maitrāvaruṇi seated in yogic composure beside a small fire altar, devas approaching with folded hands; gold leaf aura around the sage, embossed ornaments on devas, rich maroon and emerald textiles, detailed ritual implements, symmetrical temple-like framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: A restrained, intimate āśrama scene—soft earth tones, delicate linework on the sage’s features, devas rendered smaller to emphasize humility; gentle forest backdrop, thin smoke from yajña, quiet narrative tension of a respectful petition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Strong outlines and warm pigments depict the sage as a central axis of stillness, devas in orderly approach; stylized foliage, red-yellow-green palette, temple-wall compositional balance, prominent expressive eyes conveying apramāda.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Central seated sage framed by lotus and floral borders; repeating motifs of folded-hand figures (devas) approaching, intricate textile patterning, deep indigo background with gold highlights, ceremonial symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["crackling yajña fire","soft mantra hum","wind through trees","brief silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tebhigamya = tebhiḥ + gamya; maitrāvaruṇimuttamam = maitrāvaruṇim + uttamam; taporāśim = tapo + rāśim; svairanuṣṭhitaiḥ = svaiḥ + anuṣṭhitaiḥ.
FAQs
Maitrāvaruṇi is a well-known epithet of the sage Vasiṣṭha, traditionally regarded as the son of Mitra and Varuṇa and celebrated for spiritual discipline and insight.
It emphasizes being apramatta—vigilant and free from negligence—along with steadfast tapas (austerity) and properly performed duties.
The phrase points to faithfully carrying out one’s appropriate obligations and disciplines—right action performed according to one’s role and rule of conduct.