Vamana Purana — Kali's Complaint to Brahma (Part 2), Shloka 32

Kali’s Complaint to Brahma and the Arrival of Śrī (Jayaśrī) in Bali’s Reign

Devanagari script

चतुःषष्टिकलाः श्वेता महापद्मो निधिः स्थितः मुक्तासुवर्णरजतं रथाश्वगजभूषणम्

Transliteration

catuḥṣaṣṭikalāḥ śvetā mahāpadmo nidhiḥ sthitaḥ muktāsuvarṇarajataṃ rathāśvagajabhūṣaṇam

Translation

{"scene_description": "A three-tier reverence tableau: son honoring father, father honoring elder guru, and all oriented toward a radiant Hari as lokaguru receiving worship.", "primary_figures": ["Hari/Viṣṇu as lokaguru", "father (as guru)", "elder guru", "son/disciple"], "setting": "Ritual hall with lamps and offerings; composition emphasizes vertical hierarchy culminating in Hari.", "color_palette": ["gold", "saffron", "deep blue", "ivory", "emerald"], "tanjore_prompt": "Tanjore, central Hari as lokaguru with gold-leaf aura, below him a guru and father in layered reverence, ritual lamps and offerings, ornate jewelry and temple pillars, rich blues and gold.", "pahari_prompt": "Pahari miniature, gentle hierarchical grouping, soft pastels, Hari seated serenely, father and guru in respectful poses, delicate textiles and calm expressions.", "kerala_mural_prompt": "Kerala mural, bold outlines, Hari in blue with large eyes as world-guru, stacked figures showing guru-paramparā, temple lamps, natural pigments and symmetrical layout.", "pattachitra_prompt": "Pattachitra, didactic panel showing guru hierarchy leading to Hari, decorative borders, flat colors, clear gestures of pūjā and añjali, narrative labels."}

Word by Word

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Speakers

• Narratorial voice continuing an enumerative doctrinal passage.

Key Themes

• Nidhis (treasury deities)
• Royal wealth and regalia
• Sixty-four arts as auspicious accomplishments
• Prosperity as structured cosmic resource

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "adbhuta", "secondaryRasa": "shanta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

What is the Mahāpadma Nidhi in Purāṇic tradition?

Mahāpadma is one of the famed Nidhis—personified treasuries or archetypal stores of wealth—often associated with Kubera’s domain in wider Purāṇic lore. Here it functions as a named category of abundance, characterized by precious materials and royal assets.

Why are the ‘sixty-four arts’ mentioned alongside material wealth?

The verse treats accomplishment (kalā) as a form of prosperity parallel to gold and jewels. In classical Indian culture, mastery of arts supports courtly life, governance, ritual, and social refinement—thus it is catalogued as a ‘treasure’ sustaining sovereignty and civilization.

Does ‘śvetā’ have a technical meaning here?

Beyond the literal ‘white,’ it commonly signals auspiciousness and purity—suggesting these arts are ‘bright’ or ‘beneficent’ accomplishments, not merely worldly tricks, and therefore fit to be counted among enduring, dharmically aligned treasures.