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
For the slaying of Vṛtra, the Lord of the gods summoned the great sages and dispatched the Seven Ṛṣis toward Vṛtra, the lord of the 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.