Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 17
Manifestation of the Śrī Vāsudeva Hymn in the Glory of Guru-tīrtha
Cyavana Narrative within the Vena Episode
भो भोः पुरुषशार्दूल देवोपम भवानिदम् । करोति निर्घृणं कर्म नृशंसैर्न च शक्यते
bho bhoḥ puruṣaśārdūla devopama bhavānidam | karoti nirghṛṇaṃ karma nṛśaṃsairna ca śakyate
يا لَكَ، يا نمرَ الرجال، يا من يشبه الإله! إن هذا الفعل الذي تفعله قاسٍ بلا رحمة؛ لا يطيقه حتى أهل القسوة.
Unspecified (context needed from surrounding verses in Adhyaya 98)
Concept: Even the powerful must be checked when they commit cruelty; dharma includes the courage to confront merciless action.
Application: Speak up against cruelty in your sphere—firmly but with the aim of stopping harm; cultivate compassion as a daily discipline.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stern figure steps forward, palm raised in a halting gesture, addressing the ‘tiger among men’ with blazing eyes and controlled fury. The accused stands with weapon lowered mid-act, while the background remains dark and tense—yet a thin band of light suggests the possibility of repentance and return to dharma.","primary_figures":["admonishing speaker (sage/minister/attendant—unspecified)","accused powerful man (purusha-shārdūla)"],"setting":"shadowed clearing with disturbed ground; onlookers at the periphery; the moral confrontation centered","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["deep umber","torch gold","indigo","pale ash","vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central confrontation—rebuking figure with raised hand and gold halo, the powerful man in ornate armor but morally checked, dramatic red-green textiles, gold leaf emphasizing the ethical ‘stop’ gesture, subdued background with symbolic darkness.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate moral drama with refined expressions, dappled forest light, restrained palette, the rebuker’s gesture and the accused’s paused posture conveying tension; minimal gore, maximum ethical focus.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, expressive eyes, the rebuker in authoritative stance, the accused turned slightly in shame, warm reds/yellows against dark greens, temple-wall narrative clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical confrontation framed by floral borders; withered lotus motifs near the accused, blooming lotuses near the rebuker to symbolize dharma restoring life; deep blues and gold accents, didactic composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["sharp spoken cadence","echoing silence after rebuke","distant wind","single bell strike","low drum pulse"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवानिदम् = भवान् + इदम्; नृशंसैर्न = नृशंसैः + न (विसर्ग-लोप/रेफ); श्लोके ‘भो भोः’ सम्बोधन-निपात-द्वयम्।
FAQs
It condemns “nirghṛṇa karma” (merciless action) and frames compassion as a basic standard of righteous conduct, even when addressing someone regarded as noble or “devopama” (godlike).
The speaker distinguishes the person’s stature from the deed, urging that a great person should not commit or endorse cruelty; moral accountability increases with status.
Not in this line itself. It reads as a moral rebuke within a dialogue; identifying any linked tirtha/deity/episode requires the adjacent verses of Adhyaya 98.