Shloka 43

The Tārakāmaya War: Divine Mustering, Māyā Countermeasures, Aurva Fire, and Viṣṇu’s Slaying of Kālanemi

Devanagari script

नीललोहितपीताभिः पताकाभिरलंकृतम् । अरुणावरजं श्रीमानारुह्य समरे प्रभुः

Transliteration

nīlalohitapītābhiḥ patākābhiralaṃkṛtam | aruṇāvarajaṃ śrīmānāruhya samare prabhuḥ

Translation

نیلے، سرخ اور زرد جھنڈوں سے آراستہ، جلال والا پروردگار ارُوṇ کے چھوٹے بھائی پر سوار ہو کر میدانِ جنگ میں داخل ہوا۔

Word by Word

• नील-लोहित-पीताभिः: with blue, red, and yellow
• नील-लोहित-पीताभिः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नील (प्रातिपदिक) + लोहित (प्रातिपदिक) + पीत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; विशेषण (instrumental plural qualifying पताकाभिः)

• पताकाभिः: with banners/flags
• पताकाभिः: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पताका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; करण (instrument)

• अलंकृतम्: adorned
• अलंकृतम्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अलंकृत (कृदन्त; अलं-√कृ (धातु) क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (adorned)

• अरुण-अवरजम्: Aruna's younger brother (Garuda)
• अरुण-अवरजम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अरुण (प्रातिपदिक) + अवरज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• श्रीमान्: the glorious one
• श्रीमान्: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्रीमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; गुणवाचक (possessive adjective used substantively)

• आरुह्य: having mounted
• आरुह्य: पूर्वकाल (Prior action/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-√रुह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive), ‘having mounted’

• समरे: in battle
• समरे: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचन; अधिकरण (locative)

• प्रभुः: the lord
• प्रभुः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Narrator (contextual; explicit speaker not identifiable from the single verse alone)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: When dharma is threatened, the Lord (and the devotee in imitation) acts decisively—strength guided by righteousness, not ego.

Application: Enter your ‘battles’ (ethical decisions, self-discipline) with clarity and symbols of commitment—keep your values visible like banners.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: celestial_realm

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The Lord advances into a celestial battle mounted on Aruṇa’s younger brother—Garuḍa—whose wings cut the air like thunder. Blue, red, and yellow banners stream behind, snapping in the wind, while the Lord’s posture is calm yet irresistible, the still center of a storm of motion.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇu (Gadādhara implied)","Garuḍa (Aruṇa’s younger brother)"],"setting":"High sky above a distant cosmic horizon; faint silhouettes of opposing hosts below; banners and pennants fill the upper frame.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sapphire blue","vermillion red","marigold yellow","antique gold","sky turquoise"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Viṣṇu seated on Garuḍa with embossed gold leaf halo; richly patterned banners in blue-red-yellow; heavy jewelry with gem highlights; dramatic yet symmetrical composition with ornate arch motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant Garuḍa in flight with fine feather detailing; flowing tri-colored banners; soft dawn sky wash; refined facial features and lyrical movement, minimal but expressive battlefield hints below.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines for Garuḍa’s wings, stylized banner ribbons; Viṣṇu with large expressive eyes and traditional ornaments; warm yellow-red-green pigments against deep blue sky.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Viṣṇu-on-Garuḍa medallion; banners stylized as floral streamers; lotus and cloud motifs framing; deep blue background with gold accents and intricate border patterns."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","war drum (mridanga-like)","cymbals","wind rush"]}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: पताकाभिरलंकृतम् = पताकाभिः अलंकृतम्; श्रीमानारुह्य = श्रीमान् आरुह्य.

Characters & Entities

• Aruṇa
• Garuḍa (implied as Aruṇa’s younger brother)
• Prabhu (the Lord; likely Viṣṇu in Purāṇic usage)

FAQs

Who is ‘Aruṇa’s younger brother’ mentioned in this verse?

In Purāṇic genealogy, Aruṇa is the elder brother of Garuḍa; thus “Aruṇa’s younger brother” (aruṇāvaraja) points to Garuḍa.

What is conveyed by the banners of blue, red, and yellow?

The colored banners function as royal and divine battle insignia, emphasizing majesty, auspiciousness, and the Lord’s martial readiness through vivid iconographic detail.

What ethical or devotional lesson can be drawn from this verse?

The verse highlights decisive, dharma-protecting action: the Lord does not remain distant but actively intervenes when conflict arises, reinforcing trust (śraddhā) in divine protection.