Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 19
The Aśokasundarī–Nahuṣa Episode: Demon Stratagems, Protection by Merit, and Lineage Prophecy
मायोपायेन योगेन हृताहं पापिना पुरा । तथा स घातितः पुत्र आयोश्चैव भविष्यति
māyopāyena yogena hṛtāhaṃ pāpinā purā | tathā sa ghātitaḥ putra āyoścaiva bhaviṣyati
Einst wurde ich durch eine trügerische List von einem sündigen Mann entführt. Ebenso wird auch jener Sohn erschlagen werden, und auch seine Lebensspanne wird enden.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Adhyaya 109 dialogue)
Concept: Deceit (māyā-upāya) used for abduction and harm rebounds as destruction; adharma ripens into inevitable suffering.
Application: Avoid manipulative tactics; when harmed, seek lawful/dharmic remedy and inner refuge rather than repeating the cycle of deceit.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A noble woman recalls her past abduction: her face half-lit, eyes wet with memory, while behind her a ghostly silhouette of the ‘sinful man’ fades into darkness. In the foreground, a symbolic hourglass or extinguishing lamp suggests the shortening of lifespan and the certainty of violent consequence for deceit.","primary_figures":["a noble lady (unnamed)","shadow-figure of the abductor","a symbolic child/son figure (foreshadowed)"],"setting":"inner chamber or palace corridor with latticed windows, memory-like overlays","lighting_mood":"moonlit with stark shadows","color_palette":["ashen silver","midnight blue","blood crimson","pale sandalwood","charcoal gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the lady seated in sorrow with gold leaf halo-like ornamentation, rich textiles, and embossed motifs of a fading dark figure; a lamp with gold highlights symbolizes āyuḥ-kṣaya; ornate frame with traditional floral borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: poignant interior scene with delicate facial emotion, cool moonlight, translucent ‘memory’ figure in the background, fine textile patterns, restrained palette emphasizing grief and foreboding.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: expressive wide eyes and stylized tears, bold outlines; the abductor rendered as a dark, simplified form; symbolic lamp and time motifs integrated into a temple-wall aesthetic composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical panel—lower band shows the abduction as a dark vignette; upper band shows a lotus-and-conch emblem asserting divine moral order; intricate floral borders, deep blues, and gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["soft sob-like cadence","distant thunder","single temple bell","night insects"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मायोपायेन = माया + उपायेन (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष); हृताहं = हृता + अहम्; आयोश्चैव = आयोः + च + एव.
FAQs
It links past wrongdoing and deception with future consequences, forecasting death and the ending of lifespan as a karmic fruition.
It indicates a deceptive tactic or trick—an illusory or fraudulent means used to accomplish an abduction or harm.
Deceit and violence rebound as suffering: harmful actions (especially those done through trickery) are portrayed as leading to inevitable loss and death.