Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 15
The Deception of Vṛtra
वधार्थं देवदेवेन समाहूय महामुनीन् । सप्तर्षीन्प्रेषयामास वृत्रं दैत्येश्वरं प्रति
vadhārthaṃ devadevena samāhūya mahāmunīn | saptarṣīnpreṣayāmāsa vṛtraṃ daityeśvaraṃ prati
Um Vṛtra zu erschlagen, berief der Herr der Götter die großen Weisen und entsandte die Sieben Ṛṣis gegen Vṛtra, den Herrscher der Daityas.
Narratorial voice (contextual; specific speaker not explicit in this single verse)
Concept: Power must be guided by wisdom: rulers should consult realized sages before decisive action, especially when violence is contemplated.
Application: Before taking drastic steps, seek counsel from those with clarity and integrity; let ethics and long-term welfare guide decisions.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Indra, the deva-lord, summons the Mahāmunis with solemn urgency; the Seven Ṛṣis appear like living constellations, their matted locks and luminous austerity contrasting with Indra’s jeweled splendor. A sense of sacred mission fills the air as they are dispatched toward Vṛtra, carrying the authority of tapas and truth.","primary_figures":["Indra (Sahasrākṣa)","Seven Ṛṣis (Saptarṣi)","Deva messengers (optional)"],"setting":"A celestial council space opening into a starry corridor—pillars carved with lotus and vajra motifs, with a pathway leading outward toward a storm-dark horizon.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance with star-like austerity glow","color_palette":["starlight white","sapphire blue","gold leaf","smoke gray","sage green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Indra standing beneath an ornate prabhavali, gesturing as he commissions the Seven Ṛṣis; gold-leaf halos around each rishi, rich reds and greens in the frame, gem-studded ornaments for Indra, stylized celestial architecture and lotus-vajra motifs, devotional grandeur.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: the Seven Ṛṣis portrayed with delicate faces and soft austerity, set against a twilight celestial terrace; cool blues, fine linework, a distant storm bank indicating Vṛtra’s domain, lyrical movement as the sages depart.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, rhythmic composition of seven sages in a row with ochre halos, Indra to the side with vajra; natural pigments, temple-wall aesthetic, patterned borders, strong red-yellow-green with deep blue background.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a symmetrical devotional tableau—seven rishis like lotus petals around a central axis, Indra commissioning them; intricate floral borders, deep blue cloth ground, gold highlights, peacocks and lotuses symbolizing dharma’s guardianship."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell","soft drone (tanpura)","distant thunder fading"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वधार्थं = वध + अर्थम्; सप्तर्षीन्प्रेषयामास = सप्तर्षीन् + प्रेषयामास (न् + प्); देवदेवेन (समास); दैत्येश्वरम् (समास)
FAQs
The Seven Ṛṣis (Saptarṣi) are dispatched toward Vṛtra, described here as the lord of the Daityas.
They are summoned “for the purpose of slaying” (vadhārtham) Vṛtra—implying a divinely guided, counsel-driven response rather than impulsive violence.
The verse highlights that even powerful rulers should seek wise counsel and proceed according to dharma when confronting grave threats.