Shloka 18
The Aśūnyaśayana Vow: Expiation, Viṣṇu’s Theophany, and Liberation for Divyā Devī
ततः पृच्छाम्यहं देवि वद मे कारणं त्विह । पितुर्गेहे यथावृत्तमात्मवृत्तांतमेव हि
tataḥ pṛcchāmyahaṃ devi vada me kāraṇaṃ tviha | piturgehe yathāvṛttamātmavṛttāṃtameva hi
پس اے دیوی، میں تم سے پوچھتا ہوں—یہاں اس کا سبب بتاؤ۔ اپنے والد کے گھر میں جو کچھ ہوا، اور اپنی داستان کا پورا حال جوں کا توں بیان کرو۔
Unspecified male narrator addressing Devī (likely Mahādeva addressing Pārvatī, per common Padma Purāṇa dialogue framing)
Concept: To heal suffering, one must inquire into causes (kāraṇa) and hear the full life-context; dharma is understood through narrative causality, not isolated events.
Application: When resolving conflict or grief, ask for the complete story with patience; avoid premature judgment and seek root causes.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A divine couple sits in a quiet, lamp-lit chamber of a mountain abode: the speaker, calm and authoritative, turns toward the Goddess with a gentle but probing gaze. The Goddess listens, poised to unfold a detailed account, while the background hints at cosmic stillness—snow peaks beyond, and a faint aura of timelessness.","primary_figures":["Mahādeva (Śiva) as narrator","Devī (Pārvatī) as listener/speaker-to-be"],"setting":"Kailāsa-like palace chamber or cave-hall with ritual lamps, tiger-skin seat, and a view of distant peaks","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit with divine radiance","color_palette":["ash white","vermilion","lapis blue","antique gold","smoky gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Śiva seated with trident and serene face, Pārvatī beside him adorned with gold jewelry; lamp-lit Kailāsa interior with gold leaf halos, rich reds/greens, ornate arch framing, gem-studded ornamentation.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined Kailāsa setting with cool mountain tones, delicate faces, intimate dialogue posture; soft lamps, distant snowy peaks, lyrical composition and fine detailing on textiles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, iconic Śiva-Pārvatī forms, patterned garments, warm red-yellow-green palette; stylized lamps and architectural borders, temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional panel of Śiva and Pārvatī in conversation framed by floral borders and lotus motifs; deep blue background with gold highlights, intricate textile patterns, symmetrical shrine-like framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft damaru pulse (subtle)","mountain wind","low tanpura drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पृच्छामि+अहम्→पृच्छाम्यहम्; तत्+इह→त्विह (त्-आदेश); पितुः+गेहे→पितुर्गेहे (रेफ-संधि); यथावृत्तम् (यथा+वृत्तम् अव्ययीभाव); आत्मवृत्तान्तम् (आत्मन्+वृत्तान्त तत्पुरुष);
FAQs
The speaker asks the Goddess to explain the reason behind the situation and to narrate what happened in her father’s house along with her personal history.
The verse directly addresses “Devī” (Goddess). In many Padma Purāṇa dialogue settings this is commonly Pārvatī, though the immediate context is needed for absolute identification.
It emphasizes careful inquiry into causes and the value of hearing an accurate, complete account (“yathāvṛttam”) before forming conclusions.