Padma Purana — Patala Khanda, Shloka 7
Instruction to the Brahmin
The Greatness of Piṇḍa and Prasāda on Mount Nīla
संशयाविष्टचित्तेन मया पृष्टं तदा नृप । यूयं के बत युष्माभिर्लब्धं चातुर्भुजं कथम्
saṃśayāviṣṭacittena mayā pṛṣṭaṃ tadā nṛpa | yūyaṃ ke bata yuṣmābhirlabdhaṃ cāturbhujaṃ katham
हे नृप! तब संशय से घिरे चित्त के साथ मैंने पूछा—“आप लोग कौन हैं? और आपको यह चतुर्भुज रूप कैसे प्राप्त हुआ?”
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (nṛpa) within a dialogue frame
Concept: Doubt (saṃśaya) becomes the doorway to dharma-jijñāsā; divine form is not random but earned through specific righteous acts and devotional merit.
Application: When encountering the extraordinary, ask with humility and clarity; seek causes in dharma rather than superstition—turn wonder into learning.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: netherworld
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A brāhmaṇa in simple garments stands before a cluster of four-armed, garlanded figures, his brows knit with wonder and doubt. The subterranean hall glitters with gems as he gestures in inquiry, while the divine-looking beings remain poised, their weapons and lotuses catching the light.","primary_figures":["brāhmaṇa inquirer","four-armed Viṣṇu-like beings","optional: a king (nṛpa) as implied addressee in the narrative frame"],"setting":"Jeweled Pātāla audience-space with nāga motifs, lotus-carved pillars, faintly swirling incense-mist","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["amber gold","deep indigo","jade green","coral red","ivory"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central brāhmaṇa with folded cloth and questioning hand gesture facing four-armed, haloed devotees holding śaṅkha-cakra-gadā and lotus/Śārṅga; heavy gold leaf halos and arch, rich red-green backdrop, embossed ornaments, stylized lotus pedestal motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate dialogue scene—slender brāhmaṇa with expressive eyes asking a question; four-armed figures calm and luminous; cool-toned cavern with delicate gem highlights, fine brushwork, understated gold, lyrical composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: dramatic profile of the inquirer with bold outlines; four-armed figures in frontal symmetry; warm lamp-lit palette, patterned garlands, nāga-pillars and lotus borders, temple-wall flatness with iconic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative panel with ornate floral borders; repeated conch/discus motifs; the inquirer placed at lower left in humility; deep blue ground with gold and pink lotuses, decorative density typical of Nathdwara."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft echo","anklet-like chime","low drone","page-turn hush (imagined)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: संशयाविष्टचित्तेन = संशय-आविष्ट-चित्तेन; युष्माभिर्लब्धं→युष्माभिः लब्धम्.
FAQs
A four-armed form commonly signals divine, especially Vaiṣṇava, identity or divine empowerment; the verse frames it as a mystery requiring explanation within the narrative.
It indicates the speaker is mentally “possessed/overcome by doubt,” emphasizing curiosity and uncertainty that motivates the questioning.
The verse models sincere inquiry: when confronted with extraordinary spiritual phenomena, one should ask respectfully and seek the cause rather than assume or dismiss.