Shloka 164
The Tārakāmaya War: Divine Mustering, Māyā Countermeasures, Aurva Fire, and Viṣṇu’s Slaying of Kālanemi
त्रिपादविग्रहे धर्मेऽधर्मे पादपरिग्रहे । अपावृत्ते महाद्वारे वर्तमाने च सत्पथे
tripādavigrahe dharme'dharme pādaparigrahe | apāvṛtte mahādvāre vartamāne ca satpathe
เมื่อธรรมตั้งมั่นด้วยสามบาท และอธรรมยึดได้เพียงบาทเดียว; เมื่อมหาทวารเปิดกว้าง และสัทปถะ—หนทางอันสัตย์—กำลังดำเนินอยู่—
Unspecified (verse fragment; speaker not identifiable from this single shloka alone)
Concept: In an auspicious age-state, Dharma stands on three feet while Adharma is reduced to one; the great gate opens and the true path becomes active—ethical order becomes accessible and effective.
Application: Support the ‘three feet’—truthfulness, compassion, self-restraint (or similar triads)—and reduce adharma by limiting greed/violence; treat every day as a chance to ‘walk the satpatha’ through consistent small vows.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A majestic cosmic gate stands open, carved with lotus and conch motifs, revealing a luminous road (satpatha) stretching into a serene horizon. Before it, Dharma appears as a radiant bull standing firmly on three legs, while a diminished, shadowy Adharma clings to a single leg, unable to obstruct the passage.","primary_figures":["Dharma (as a bull or personified deity)","Adharma (shadowy figure)","optional: Viṣṇu as the distant goal/light at the end of the path"],"setting":"mythic threshold landscape with a monumental gate and a shining path beyond","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["lotus pink","pale gold","ivory white","emerald green","midnight indigo (for Adharma)"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: monumental mahādvāra with ornate gold leaf carvings, Dharma-bull with jeweled ornaments standing on three legs, Adharma as a dark diminished figure; the satpatha rendered as a gold-leaf road leading to a distant radiant Viṣṇu-like glow; rich reds/greens, thick decorative borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate open gate in a tranquil landscape, soft dawn light, Dharma-bull serene and luminous, Adharma small and fading; refined facial features if personified, gentle gradients, lyrical trees and distant hills framing the satpatha.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic gate with bold outlines, Dharma and Adharma in stylized forms; strong yellow-red-green palette, dramatic contrast between bright satpatha and dark adharma; temple-wall composition with symmetrical ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: the open gate framed by lotus borders and floral filigree; satpatha patterned like a ceremonial carpet leading inward; include repeated lotus motifs and subtle śaṅkha-cakra emblems; deep blues and gold with intricate border work."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","gentle tanpura drone","morning birds","light wind","long pauses for contemplation"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धर्मेऽधर्मे = धर्मे + अधर्मे (अ + अ → ’); तृतीयपादे/चतुर्थपादे सर्वे पदाः सप्तमी-एकवचन-प्रयोगाः (अधिकरणार्थे)।
FAQs
It uses the common Purāṇic image of Dharma as a four-footed bull whose legs diminish across ages; here Dharma remains strong (three quarters), while Adharma occupies only a smaller share (one quarter), indicating a comparatively righteous time.
It suggests favorable spiritual conditions—access to higher understanding or liberation is ‘unbarred,’ and right conduct (satpatha) is actively followed or available to seekers.
It encourages aligning oneself with satpatha (truthful, disciplined living), implying that when righteousness is strong, spiritual progress becomes easier and one should take advantage of that opportunity.