Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 18
Viṣṇu’s Māyā and the Stratagem Against Vihuṇḍa
with the Kāmodā–Gaṅgādvāra motif
विष्णुमाया महाभागा सर्वविश्वप्रमोहिनी । चकार रूपमतुलं विष्णोर्मायाप्रमोहिनी
viṣṇumāyā mahābhāgā sarvaviśvapramohinī | cakāra rūpamatulaṃ viṣṇormāyāpramohinī
La Māyā de Viṣṇu —très fortunée, enchanteresse de l’univers entier— prit une forme sans pareille, elle qui égare par la puissance de l’illusion de Viṣṇu.
Narrator (contextual speaker not specified in the provided excerpt)
Concept: The universe’s bewitchment is powered by the Lord’s māyā; recognizing its source is the beginning of liberation-oriented discernment.
Application: When confused by appearances, shift the question from ‘what is happening?’ to ‘what is the deeper principle governing this?’—cultivate sāttvika habits, satsanga, and mantra to pierce delusion.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A majestic feminine embodiment of Māyā stands at the center of a swirling cosmos—galaxies like garlands around her—while faint silhouettes of devas, humans, and asuras drift as if in a dream. Her form is incomparable: serene smile, eyes reflecting countless worlds, and a veil that looks like starlight, suggesting both beauty and peril.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇu’s Māyā (cosmic feminine śakti)","miniature silhouettes of devas, humans, asuras (as the ‘deluded universe’)"],"setting":"Cosmic expanse blending svarga architecture with nebula-like clouds; lotus motifs hinting at Viṣṇu’s navel-lotus cosmology.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["midnight blue","starlit silver","auric gold","amethyst purple","smoky teal"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: cosmic Māyā as a regal goddess with towering crown, heavy gold leaf halo and border, gem-like stars embedded in the background, miniature worlds and beings arranged in concentric rings, rich maroons and greens in garments, ornate lotus and conch motifs signifying Viṣṇu’s power behind her.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: ethereal Māyā with delicate features, translucent veil painted in fine washes, a night-sky gradient with tiny gold dots as stars, small floating figures of devas and asuras, refined ornamentation and lyrical composition with subtle cosmic lotus imagery.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Māyā with bold outlines and large eyes, stylized cosmic clouds and lotus medallions, red-yellow-green palette with black contouring, radiating aura behind her, symbolic miniature beings arranged like mural registers.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Māyā on a lotus, surrounded by circular floral and star motifs like a mandala, deep indigo field with gold highlights, intricate borders of lotuses and creepers, peacocks at corners, Vaishnava symbols (shankha-chakra) subtly woven into the pattern."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["low tanpura drone","conch shell (distant)","soft silence between phrases","wind-like whoosh"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विष्णुमाया = विष्णु + माया; सर्वविश्वप्रमोहिनी = सर्व + विश्व + प्रमोहिनी; रूपमतुलम् = रूपम् + अतुलम्; विष्णोर्मायाप्रमोहिनी = विष्णोः + मायाप्रमोहिनी
FAQs
Viṣṇumāyā is the divine power of Viṣṇu—often understood as His Māyā-śakti—by which forms are manifested and beings become deluded or veiled from ultimate reality.
It emphasizes Māyā’s cosmic scope: the same power that projects appearances and diversity can also obscure true knowledge, affecting all embodied beings within the universe.
Since even the universe is subject to delusion, the verse encourages discernment (viveka) and devotional grounding—seeking clarity through dharma, devotion to Viṣṇu, and right understanding rather than being carried away by appearances.