Shloka 156
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
ब्रह्माणं तर्पयेत्पूर्वं विष्णुं रुद्रं प्रजापतीन् । देवायक्षास्तथा नागा गंधर्वाप्सरसां गणाः
brahmāṇaṃ tarpayetpūrvaṃ viṣṇuṃ rudraṃ prajāpatīn | devāyakṣāstathā nāgā gaṃdharvāpsarasāṃ gaṇāḥ
พึงถวายตัรปณะ (น้ำบูชา) แด่พระพรหมก่อน แล้วจึงแด่พระวิษณุ พระรุทระ และเหล่าประชาปติ; อีกทั้งแด่หมู่เทวะ ยักษ์ นาค และหมู่คันธรรพะกับอัปสราทั้งหลายด้วย
Unspecified (narrative instruction within Padma Purāṇa; likely delivered in the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue frame)
Concept: Proper tarpaṇa begins with the highest principles (Brahmā, then Viṣṇu, Rudra) and extends to all classes of beings; dharma is relational and acknowledges interdependence across realms.
Application: Cultivate gratitude broadly: begin with the highest ideals (truth, compassion, God) and then remember all who support life—seen and unseen—before starting the day’s work.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee pours tarpaṇa water in concentric offerings, and the streams transform into luminous pathways rising into the sky. In layered celestial tiers appear Brahmā on a lotus, Viṣṇu with conch and discus, Rudra with trident, and around them hosts of devas, yakṣas, nāgas, gandharvas, and apsarases receiving the libation as shimmering light.","primary_figures":["Devotee","Brahmā","Viṣṇu","Rudra (Śiva)","Prajāpatis","Devas","Yakṣas","Nāgas","Gandharvas","Apsarases"],"setting":"Ritual platform at a sacred water edge; above it a multi-tiered cosmic mandala of beings.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["celestial gold","sapphire blue","smoky ash gray","emerald green","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central devotee performing tarpaṇa with copper vessel, above a grand triad—Brahmā on lotus, Viṣṇu in blue with śaṅkha-cakra, Rudra in ash tones with triśūla—surrounded by ornate celestial attendants (gandharvas with vīṇā, apsarases dancing, nāgas coiled), heavy gold leaf halos and borders, rich reds/greens, gem-like ornamentation.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: layered sky composition with delicate clouds, small refined figures of devas and celestial musicians, subtle watercolor gradients, devotee at riverbank below, lyrical naturalism, cool mountain palette with luminous highlights, elegant facial features and fine textiles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic triad in upper register with bold outlines and stylized ornaments, rows of devas/yakṣas/nāgas/gandharvas/apsarases in patterned bands, devotee below pouring water, saturated natural pigments, temple-wall texture, characteristic large eyes and symmetrical composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: mandala-like arrangement—central Viṣṇu medallion with Brahmā and Rudra flanking, circular rings of celestial beings (musicians, dancers, nāgas), devotee at bottom offering tarpaṇa, lotus borders, deep indigo background with gold and white detailing, intricate floral filigree and conch-chakra motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","vīṇā drone (imagined gandharva tone)","water pouring","soft choral hum"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tarpayetpūrvaṃ → tarpayet + pūrvam; devāyakṣāstathā → devāḥ + yakṣāḥ + tathā; gaṃdharvāpsarasāṃ → gandharvāḥ + apsarasām.
FAQs
It outlines the sequence for offering tarpaṇa—water-libations meant to honor and satisfy divine and semi-divine beings.
The verse reflects a Purāṇic cosmology where ritual respect is extended across hierarchical realms—gods and other celestial/liminal beings who populate the universe.
It emphasizes ordered reverence and gratitude: acknowledging creators, preservers, progenitors, and cosmic communities before seeking one’s own benefit from ritual acts.