Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 16
Viṣṇu’s Māyā and the Stratagem Against Vihuṇḍa
with the Kāmodā–Gaṅgādvāra motif
विहुंडं नाशयिष्यामि पापिष्ठं देवकंटकम् । एवमाभाष्य तान्देवान्मायां कृत्वा जनार्दनः
vihuṃḍaṃ nāśayiṣyāmi pāpiṣṭhaṃ devakaṃṭakam | evamābhāṣya tāndevānmāyāṃ kṛtvā janārdanaḥ
„Ich werde Vihuṇḍa vernichten, den Sündigsten, den Dorn der Götter.“ So zu den Gottheiten sprechend, setzte Janārdana seine göttliche Māyā ein und schritt zum Handeln.
Janārdana (Viṣṇu) speaking to the gods (Devas)
Concept: The Supreme protects dharma by removing ‘thorns’ to the devas; divine māyā is an instrument of governance, not delusion for the Lord.
Application: Pair compassion with decisive action against harm; use skillful means (upāya) ethically—strategy in service of protection is not duplicity.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Janārdana stands before the devas with unwavering calm, declaring the end of the wicked Vihuṇḍa. As he turns to act, a veil of luminous māyā unfurls—like a cosmic silk curtain—forming divine forms and pathways, suggesting a swift, intelligent intervention rather than brute force.","primary_figures":["Janārdana (Viṣṇu)","Indra","assembled devas"],"setting":"A threshold space between celestial court and the worlds—an open mandapa that looks out onto a star-strewn cosmic expanse, hinting at imminent descent or divine maneuver.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance with prismatic shimmer (māyā)","color_palette":["electric blue","molten gold","amethyst purple","sea-green","crystal white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Janārdana in commanding stance, gold leaf aura expanding into patterned ‘māyā’ waves; śaṅkha-cakra-gadā highlighted with embossed gold; devas behind in reverent attention; ornate arch and lotus base, rich crimson and emerald accents, gem-like detailing on ornaments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant depiction of Viṣṇu stepping forward, a translucent, rainbow-like veil of māyā painted with fine washes; devas watching with uplifted faces; airy cosmic background with delicate stars; cool blues and purples balanced by soft gold.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and stylized dynamic posture; māyā shown as concentric bands of red-yellow-green around Viṣṇu; expressive eyes conveying resolve; devas arranged rhythmically; temple-wall aesthetic with ornamental borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Viṣṇu with swirling, patterned māyā motifs like textile waves; lotus and floral borders dense and intricate; symmetrical devas; deep blue ground with gold filigree and jewel-toned accents, creating a sense of wondrous divine strategy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell (victory call)","temple bells","mridanga (steady)","rising drone","brief silence after the vow"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एवमाभाष्य = एवम् + आभाष्य; तान्देवान् = तान् + देवान्; देवान्मायाम् = देवान् + मायाम्
FAQs
Janārdana (Viṣṇu) is addressing the Devas, assuring them he will eliminate Vihuṇḍa, described as a menace to the gods.
Devakaṇṭaka literally means “thorn to the gods,” indicating a persistent threat or tormentor of the divine order (dharma) and the Devas.
The verse emphasizes divine guardianship: when destructive wickedness threatens cosmic order, Viṣṇu intervenes—often through māyā (strategic divine power)—to restore balance rather than through brute force alone.