Shloka 18
The Greatness of Hari’s Janmāṣṭamī (Jayantī) Vow
क्षीरोदे यत्र वैकुंठः सुप्तोऽस्ति भुजगोपरि । हंसपृष्ठं समारुह्य हरेरंतिकमाययौ
kṣīrode yatra vaikuṃṭhaḥ supto'sti bhujagopari | haṃsapṛṣṭhaṃ samāruhya hareraṃtikamāyayau
Trong Biển Sữa, nơi Vaikuṇṭha nằm ngủ trên mình rắn, Ngài cưỡi trên lưng thiên nga và đến trước sự hiện diện của Hari.
Unspecified narrator (Brahma-khaṇḍa narrative voice; specific dialogue pair not explicit in this single verse).
Concept: All remedies culminate in approaching Hari; the Supreme may appear ‘asleep’ yet remains the sustaining consciousness and ultimate refuge.
Application: In turmoil, return to the ‘milk-ocean’ within—stillness, prayer, and remembrance of Vishnu—before acting; seek counsel from the highest principle, not only from agitation.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A boundless Ocean of Milk stretches under a star-laden sky, its waves glowing like liquid pearl. Upon the coiled serpent Ananta, Vishnu reclines in serene sleep, while Brahmā—mounted on a radiant swan—glides across the luminous waters toward Hari’s presence.","primary_figures":["Vishnu (Vaikuṇṭha/Hari)","Ananta-Śeṣa (serpent)","Brahmā on Haṃsa (swan)","Optional: Lakṣmī attending Vishnu (if consistent with local recension)"],"setting":"Cosmic Milk Ocean with crystalline waves, floating lotuses, distant Vaikuṇṭha aura, and a celestial horizon.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["pearl white","sapphire blue","moon-silver","lotus pink","aura-gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vishnu reclining on Ananta over stylized pearl-white waves, gold leaf aura around Vishnu and Vaikuṇṭha, Brahmā on a swan approaching from the side, rich blues and greens for the cosmic sea, gem-like highlights on crowns and ornaments, ornate lotus borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical Milk Ocean with fine wave patterns, cool sapphire and silver palette, Vishnu’s calm face and delicate ornaments, Brahmā’s swan rendered with soft feather detail, subtle starry sky and floating lotuses creating quiet wonder.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and iconic forms—Vishnu on Ananta with strong color blocks, pearl-toned sea stylized as rhythmic bands, Brahmā on haṃsa in profile, saturated blues with gold/yellow highlights, temple-wall majesty.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate lotus and wave motifs filling the cloth, central Vishnu-Ananta composition with deep blue background and gold accents, Brahmā on swan as a decorative diagonal element, intricate floral borders and peacock-like detailing adapted to a Vaikuṇṭha theme."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft conch drone","gentle wave hush","tanpura sustain","deep silence between cadences"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुप्तोऽस्ति = सुप्तः + अस्ति; भुजगोपरि = भुजग + उपरि (अव्ययीभाव); हरेरंतिकम् = हरेः + अन्तिकम्; (आययौ standalone).
FAQs
It is a cosmological realm in Purāṇic literature where Lord Viṣṇu is described as resting upon the serpent Śeṣa (Ananta), symbolizing divine preservation and transcendence.
The “sleep” (yoga-nidrā) imagery conveys Viṣṇu’s effortless sovereignty over cosmic cycles, with Śeṣa representing stability, infinity, and the support of the cosmic order.
Haṃsa often signifies discernment and spiritual purity; in many traditions it is associated with Brahmā and the capacity to move between realms, fitting the verse’s motif of approaching Hari in a divine setting.