Padma Purana — Srishti Khanda, Shloka 147
The Establishment of Vāmana at Kānyakubja and the Sanctification of Setu
रुद्र उवाच । भो भो राघव भद्रं ते ब्रूहि यत्ते मनोगतम् । भवान्नारायणो नूनं गूढो मानुषयोनिषु
rudra uvāca | bho bho rāghava bhadraṃ te brūhi yatte manogatam | bhavānnārāyaṇo nūnaṃ gūḍho mānuṣayoniṣu
Rudra said: “O Rāghava, O Rāghava—may auspiciousness be yours. Tell me what is in your mind. Surely you are Nārāyaṇa himself, concealed within a human birth.”
Rudra (Śiva)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रुद्र उवाच → रुद्रः उवाच; यत्ते → यत् ते; भवान्नारायणो → भवान् नारायणः; मानुषयोनिषु = मानुष-योनिषु
FAQs
It expresses the avatāra doctrine: the Supreme (Nārāyaṇa/Viṣṇu) can appear in human form while remaining divine, and even Rudra recognizes that concealed divinity.
By having Rudra affirm Rāghava’s identity as Nārāyaṇa, the verse elevates Viṣṇu’s supremacy and reinforces devotion to the Lord’s incarnate presence.
The verse models respectful dialogue and transparency: even in exalted settings, clarity of intention and truthful speech are treated as auspicious and dharmic.