Shloka 64
Hymn of Victory: Varāha, the Slaying of Hiraṇyākṣa, and the Praise of Viṣṇu
सिंहव्याघ्रलुलायांश्च तद्वद्द्विप सरीसृपान् । जघान समरे विष्णुं हिरण्याक्षः प्रतापवान्
siṃhavyāghralulāyāṃśca tadvaddvipa sarīsṛpān | jaghāna samare viṣṇuṃ hiraṇyākṣaḥ pratāpavān
Löwen, Tiger, Schakale sowie Elefanten und Reptilien tötend, streckte der mächtige Hiraṇyākṣa Viṣṇu im Kampf nieder.
Narrator (within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue framework typical of the Padma Purāṇa)
Concept: Adharma can appear to overpower even the divine in narrative form, setting the stage for the Lord’s decisive restoration of cosmic order.
Application: When confronted by sudden reversals, avoid concluding ultimate defeat; hold steadiness and continue righteous effort until the larger arc becomes clear.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A thunderous cosmic battlefield where Hiraṇyākṣa, blazing with demonic splendor, charges through a ring of slain beasts—lions, tigers, jackals, elephants, and serpents—like omens of untamed chaos. In the center, he strikes at Viṣṇu, creating a moment of stunned stillness as dust and blood-red mist rise, foreshadowing the Lord’s imminent reversal.","primary_figures":["Hiraṇyākṣa","Viṣṇu (Hari)","fallen lions","fallen tigers","fallen elephants","serpents/reptiles"],"setting":"Mythic battlefield with churned earth, shattered weapons, and swirling dust; distant silhouettes of devas watching from the sky.","lighting_mood":"storm-lit with flashes of divine radiance","color_palette":["smoky umber","blood crimson","ashen gray","sapphire blue","molten gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Hiraṇyākṣa in fierce stance with ornate crown and heavy jewelry, striking toward Viṣṇu; dramatic battlefield strewn with symbolic beasts; gold leaf halos around Viṣṇu and subtle gold accents on weapons, rich maroon and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, traditional South Indian iconography with layered borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical yet tense battlefield scene with delicate linework; Hiraṇyākṣa towering, Viṣṇu poised amid swirling dust; cool grays and blues with crimson accents; refined faces, patterned garments, and a distant band of watching devas in pale sky gradients.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and stylized musculature; Hiraṇyākṣa’s fierce eyes and flared nostrils; Viṣṇu with calm, large almond eyes; red-ochre ground, yellow highlights, green costume fields, and rhythmic weapon motifs across the panel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: transform the battlefield into a symbolic cosmic stage—Viṣṇu centered with lotus motifs emerging beneath his feet, demonic chaos at the margins; intricate floral borders, deep indigo background, gold detailing, and stylized animal forms as narrative emblems."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["war drums","conch shell","thunder","clashing metal","wind gusts"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सिंहव्याघ्रलुलायांश्च = सिंह व्याघ्र लुलायान् च (समाहार-गणना; पाठे समासाभासः); तद्वद्द्विप = तद्वत् द्विप(ान्); जघान ... विष्णुं = ‘विष्णुम्’ कर्म; हिरण्याक्षः कर्ता.
FAQs
Hiraṇyākṣa is a powerful daitya (asura) figure associated with cosmic conflict against divine order; this verse highlights his ferocity and battlefield dominance.
In Purāṇic battle narration, verbs like “jaghāna” can describe striking down or overpowering in combat; the broader tradition maintains Viṣṇu’s transcendence, so the line is typically read as a momentary defeat/overpowering within the narrative flow.
The verse underscores the intensity of adharma-driven power and sets up the larger Purāṇic theme that divine order is ultimately restored, even when formidable forces temporarily appear victorious.