Shloka 184
The Tārakāmaya War: Divine Mustering, Māyā Countermeasures, Aurva Fire, and Viṣṇu’s Slaying of Kālanemi
ते वीतभयसंत्रासा मयतारपुरोगमाः । तारकामयसंग्रामे सततं जितकाशिनः
te vītabhayasaṃtrāsā mayatārapurogamāḥ | tārakāmayasaṃgrāme satataṃ jitakāśinaḥ
พวกเขาปราศจากความกลัวและความหวั่นไหว มีมายาและตาราเป็นผู้นำหน้า ในศึกระหว่างตารกะกับมายา พวกเขาชนะอยู่เนืองนิตย์ และพิชิตกาศีอย่างต่อเนื่อง
Unspecified narrator (context not provided in the single-verse extract)
Concept: When adharma becomes bold, it may appear ‘ever-victorious’; sacredness alone is not a shield—restoration comes through divine alignment and righteous action.
Application: Do not mistake temporary success for moral rightness. Protect sacred values through consistent practice—truth, restraint, worship—especially when they seem ‘conquered’ by chaos.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A war-bannered host advances with Maya and Tārā at the front, their faces calm and fearless amid flying dust and clashing weapons. In the distance, the ghats and spires of Kāśī rise beside the Ganga, the sacred city rendered as a luminous prize under siege.","primary_figures":["Maya (asura leader)","Tārā","Dānavas/Asuras","Kāśī personified (optional)"],"setting":"Battlefield approaching Varanasi’s riverfront ghats, with the Ganga flowing and temple silhouettes beyond","lighting_mood":"smoky twilight with sacred city glow","color_palette":["river-silver","saffron haze","iron gray","vermillion","deep teal"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: foreground asura generals Maya and Tārā with ornate armor and gold-leaf detailing; background shows stylized Kāśī ghats and temple towers by the Ganga, highlighted with gold; dynamic battle scene with embossed ornaments and rich reds/greens.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: detailed ghats of Kāśī along a shimmering river, delicate architecture and boats; asura leaders in the foreground with poised expressions, banners fluttering; cool river palette contrasted with warm vermillion battle dust, fine brushwork and lyrical cityscape.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold-lined procession of warriors with patterned shields; Maya and Tārā prominent with stylized eyes; Kāśī indicated by iconic temple forms and a flowing Ganga band, strong red/yellow/green pigments and rhythmic composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate border of lotuses and vines framing a river-city tableau; Ganga as a silver-blue ribbon, ghats and temples stylized; asura host arranged symmetrically with banners, deep blues and gold accents, intricate textile patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["war drums","conch shell","metallic clang","crowd roar","river flow"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वीतभयसंत्रासा = वीत-भय-संत्रासाः; मयतारपुरोगमाः = मय-तार-पुरोगमाः; तारकामयसंग्रामे = तारक-अमय-संग्रामे; जितकाशिनः = जित-काशिनः
FAQs
The verse presents Maya and Tārā as leading figures (purogamāḥ) of a group in a mythic conflict; without the surrounding chapter context, their precise identification (as specific devas/asuras or named personages) cannot be fixed from this single line alone.
It portrays Kāśī as a significant locus of power and contest—something that can be “conquered” (jita-kāśinaḥ) in the narrative frame of the chapter.
The stated quality is steadfast fearlessness—being free from fear and agitation (vīta-bhaya-saṃtrāsa)—paired with unwavering resolve (satatam), traits praised in many Purāṇic battle narratives.