Shloka 163
Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन पंचवक्त्रं तु धारयेत् । षड्वक्त्रं कार्तिकेयं तु धारयन्दक्षिणे भुजे
tasmātsarvaprayatnena paṃcavaktraṃ tu dhārayet | ṣaḍvaktraṃ kārtikeyaṃ tu dhārayandakṣiṇe bhuje
Vì thế, với mọi nỗ lực, người ta nên mang biểu tượng của Pañcavaktra—Śiva năm mặt. Và khi mang biểu tượng của Kārtikeya sáu mặt, hãy đeo nơi cánh tay phải.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses).
Concept: Dharma is embodied through visible sacred insignia (liṅga/pañcavaktra and Skanda/ṣaḍvaktra), worn with intentionality as a constant reminder of vows, protection, and alignment with divine qualities.
Application: Adopt a daily ‘dhāraṇa’ practice—tilaka, mālā, or a chosen sacred symbol—paired with ethical restraint; let the body become a mnemonic for conduct.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee prepares for worship, carefully fastening a small emblem of Pañcavaktra Śiva near the chest and tying a Skanda emblem on the right arm. Behind, a shrine wall shows subtle reliefs of five-faced Śiva and six-faced Kārttikeya, as if the icons themselves authorize the vow.","primary_figures":["devotee","Pañcavaktra Śiva (iconic presence)","Ṣaḍvaktra Kārttikeya (iconic presence)"],"setting":"A quiet antechamber of a temple or a home altar space with ritual tray, sacred thread, ash/tilaka, and hanging lamps.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron","sandalwood beige","copper","deep teal","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: devotee in frontal pose adorning sacred emblems—Pañcavaktra Śiva motif and Ṣaḍvaktra Kārttikeya arm-band—set before a small shrine; gold-leaf highlights on the emblems, rich red-green textiles, ornate jewelry, stylized temple lamps, traditional icon panels of five-faced Śiva and six-faced Skanda in the background.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate scene of a devotee tying a right-arm talisman of Skanda, with a small painted panel of Pañcavaktra Śiva nearby; cool pastel palette, fine textile patterns, gentle morning light, minimalistic interior with lyrical calm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; devotee shown in profile with exaggerated expressive eyes, right arm prominently bearing Skanda emblem; background shrine with Pañcavaktra Śiva; strong reds/yellows/greens, rhythmic ornamentation, lamp motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition—central devotee with arm-band, surrounded by floral borders and lotus medallions; integrate six-peaked spear motifs (vel) and five-faced halo patterns; deep blues with gold and vermilion accents, intricate textile-like detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft bell","thread/cloth rustle","low mantra hum","lamp flame","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्मात्+सर्वप्रयत्नेन→तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन; षट्+वक्त्रम्→षड्वक्त्रम् (ट्+व→ड्व); धारयन्+दक्षिणे→धारयन्दक्षिणे (न्+द→न्द)
FAQs
It prescribes wearing or bearing sacred emblems associated with Pañcavaktra (Śiva) and Ṣaḍvaktra Kārtikeya, specifically placing Kārtikeya’s emblem on the right arm.
The five-faced figure refers to Śiva as Pañcavaktra, and the six-faced figure refers to Kārtikeya (Skanda) as Ṣaḍvaktra.
It emphasizes deliberate, disciplined religious observance—undertaking devotional marks or symbols with earnest effort as part of one’s dharmic practice.