Shloka 171
Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
विषोल्बणश्च कारीषः शंखचूडश्च सप्तमः । एते नागा महावीर्याः सप्तवक्त्रे व्यवस्थिताः
viṣolbaṇaśca kārīṣaḥ śaṃkhacūḍaśca saptamaḥ | ete nāgā mahāvīryāḥ saptavaktre vyavasthitāḥ
วิษोलพณะ และ การีษะ และองค์ที่เจ็ดคือ ศังคจูฑะ—นาคาผู้ทรงเดชกล้าเหล่านี้ประจำอยู่ ณ สัปตวักตระ ผู้มีเจ็ดพักตร์
Unspecified (narrative listing within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma discourse context, but not explicit in this single verse)
Concept: Names and placements of cosmic beings convey a structured universe where power is distributed for protection and balance.
Application: Respect systems and roles; channel strength into guardianship rather than disruption; cultivate ‘mahā-vīrya’ as protective courage.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Seven nāga heroes appear as distinct crowned serpent-lords arranged around the central seven-hooded Saptavaktra, each emanating a different aura—poisonous brilliance for Viṣolbaṇa, earthy strength for Kārīṣa, and conch-like regality for Śaṅkhacūḍa. The scene feels like a cosmic guard-post, a living fortress of coiled power and disciplined placement.","primary_figures":["Saptavaktra Nāga","Viṣolbaṇa","Kārīṣa","Śaṅkhacūḍa","Ananta (as named guardian)","other stationed nāgas (as implied)"],"setting":"subterranean nāga court with pearl lamps, jewel-studded floor patterns like mandalas, and a throne dais shaped like a lotus emerging from stone","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["deep teal","amethyst purple","pearl silver","blood red","gold leaf"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: seven nāga-lords in a symmetrical protective formation around Saptavaktra; heavy gold leaf on crowns, hood rims, and jewelry; jewel inlays suggested by painted cabochons; rich reds/greens with pearl-silver highlights; ornate border of lotus and conch motifs emphasizing Śaṅkhacūḍa’s name.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant arrangement of seven serpent-lords with individualized colors and delicate scale patterns; cool teal and amethyst palette; refined faces and lyrical cave landscape; soft radiance around each nāga; balanced composition like a court portrait.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized coils and hoods; strong red/yellow/green blocks with teal background; each nāga identified by distinct crown silhouette; decorative temple-mural border; intense eyes and iconic symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: nāga-guardians rendered as a devotional mandala with lotus petals; deep blue-teal ground, gold highlights; conch motifs repeated for Śaṅkhacūḍa; intricate floral borders, pearl-dot patterns, and rhythmic repetition like textile ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","deep drone","subtle thunder-like rumble"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: viṣolbaṇaḥ+ca→viṣolbaṇaś ca; śaṃkhacūḍaḥ+ca→śaṃkhacūḍaś ca.
FAQs
They are named nāgas (serpent-lords) described as mahāvīrya—mighty or valorous—presented here as part of a list of prominent nāgas.
Saptavaktra literally means “seven-mouthed.” In this verse it functions as a proper noun—an entity or locus where these nāgas are said to be stationed.
The verse primarily serves a cataloging/cosmographic function: it records specific nāga names and their placement, contributing to the Purāṇic map of beings and their stations.