Shloka 176
The Establishment of Vāmana at Kānyakubja and the Sanctification of Setu
कृतं तद्भवता सर्वं देवकार्यं महाविभो । संस्थाप्य वामनं देवं जाह्नव्या दक्षिणे तटे
kṛtaṃ tadbhavatā sarvaṃ devakāryaṃ mahāvibho | saṃsthāpya vāmanaṃ devaṃ jāhnavyā dakṣiṇe taṭe
ข้าแต่มหาวิภุ พระองค์ทรงบำเพ็ญกิจแห่งเทวะทั้งปวงสำเร็จแล้ว โดยทรงสถาปนาเทพวามนะ ณ ฝั่งทิศใต้แห่งชาหฺนวี (คงคา)
Unspecified (context-dependent narrator/speaker within Adhyaya 38)
Concept: Divine work is completed not only by cosmic feats but by establishing enduring centers of worship—pratiṣṭhā transforms geography into dharma-supporting memory.
Application: Support and maintain places of worship (cleanliness, lamps, offerings, service); when visiting riverbanks, pair snāna with darśana and gratitude for dharma’s continuity.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On the southern bank of the Gaṅgā, priests and sages complete a serene consecration: Vāmana’s small, radiant form stands on a lotus pedestal as sacred waters are poured and lamps flicker in the breeze. The river flows behind like a silver-blue ribbon, while the sky holds a calm, post-ritual stillness—suggesting that a cosmic task has settled into lasting worship.","primary_figures":["Vāmana (Viṣṇu avatāra)","consecrating sages/priests","devotees offering lamps"],"setting":"Gaṅgā ghāṭ on the southern bank, with steps descending into water, a small shrine pavilion, ritual vessels, and garlands.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["river-silver","saffron","marigold orange","deep teal","gold leaf"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vāmana installed on a lotus pedestal at a Gaṅgā ghāṭ; priests performing abhiṣeka with kalashas, conch and bell; heavy gold leaf for halo and shrine arch, rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry, patterned textiles, stylized waves of the river with gilded highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate riverside consecration scene—stone steps, flowing Gaṅgā, small pavilion with Vāmana murti; soft dawn gradient, fine facial features of sages, detailed ritual items (kalasha, darbha, lamps), cool blues and gentle ochres, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; Vāmana with prominent eyes and blue aura, priests in rhythmic poses pouring water; stylized Gaṅgā as patterned bands; warm red/yellow/green pigments, temple-wall composition, symmetrical framing with floral borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Vāmana on lotus with ornate floral border; Gaṅgā rendered as decorative wave motifs; rows of lamps and marigold garlands; deep blue background with gold detailing, lotus clusters and peacocks at corners, Nathdwara-like ornamentation adapted to Vāmana."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","flowing water","Vedic chanting undertone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तद्भवता → तत् + भवता; श्रीमान्भरतः (next verse) similar sandhi not here. No other mandatory sandhi splits.
FAQs
It links a specific sacred location—Jāhnavī (the Gaṅgā)—with the installation of Vāmana, implying a sanctified site on the river’s southern bank and reinforcing the Purāṇic practice of mapping divinity onto real pilgrimage geographies.
By portraying Vāmana as a deity to be ritually established (saṃsthāpya), it highlights devotional acts—installation, worship, and honoring divine presence at a tīrtha—as concrete expressions of bhakti.
The verse praises faithful completion of entrusted sacred duty (devakārya), presenting diligence and responsibility in religious service as virtues worthy of commendation.