Padma Purana — Srishti Khanda, Shloka 167
The Manifestation of Viṣṇu’s Footprints: Vāmana–Trivikrama, Bāṣkali’s Subjugation, and the Rise of Viṣṇupadī
Gaṅgā
त्रपाकरं भवेन्मह्यं यदस्य भूपदत्रयम् । इंद्र उवाच । सत्यमेतद्दानवेन्द्र यदुक्तं भवता हि मे
trapākaraṃ bhavenmahyaṃ yadasya bhūpadatrayam | iṃdra uvāca | satyametaddānavendra yaduktaṃ bhavatā hi me
‘उसके लिए पृथ्वी के तीन पग होना मेरे लिए लज्जा का कारण होगा।’ इन्द्र बोले—हे दानवों के स्वामी, तुमने जो मुझसे कहा है, वह निश्चय ही सत्य है।
Indra (with a preceding line spoken by another speaker, likely Bali as ‘Dānavendra’)
Concept: Even kings of heaven are bound by truth and the moral weight of words; acknowledging another’s correct speech is itself a form of dharma.
Application: Admit when another is right, even if it threatens your status; let truth override ego-driven reputation management.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Indra, crowned and radiant yet visibly troubled, speaks with a furrowed brow as he admits the truth of the Dānava-lord’s words. Behind him, the celestial court glitters, but the mood is tense—honor and cosmic law collide in a single sentence.","primary_figures":["Indra","Dānavendra (Bali implied)","celestial attendants (Gandharvas/Maruts)"],"setting":"Amarāvatī court with jeweled pillars, cloud-throne, and banners; a distant hint of the cosmic horizon suggesting the ‘three steps’ scale.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["electric gold","cloud white","sapphire blue","ruby red","pearl gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Indra on a gemmed throne with gold leaf aura, expression conflicted; opposite him the dignified Dānavendra; ornate pillars, rich reds and greens, embossed gold detailing, traditional celestial iconography with flying attendants and stylized clouds.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined faces showing subtle tension; Indra’s hand raised in assent, Dānavendra composed; cool blues and soft whites for clouds, delicate jewelry detailing, lyrical palace architecture with airy balconies.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Indra with bold outlined crown and wide expressive eyes, posture slightly tense; warm yellow-gold background, red and green costume blocks, stylized cloud motifs and palace arches.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: celestial court framed by lotus borders; symbolic three footprints motif woven into the background; deep blue field with gold highlights, peacock and floral filigree emphasizing divine order over royal pride."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell (soft)","celestial chimes","wind through clouds","brief tense silence","distant drum pulse"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवेन्मह्यं → भवेत् + मह्यम्; भूपदत्रयम् → भू + पदत्रयम्; सत्यमेतत् → सत्यम् + एतत्; यदुक्तं → यत् + उक्तम्.
FAQs
It alludes to the Vāmana/Trivikrama motif—Viṣṇu measuring the worlds in three strides, a theme often invoked when discussing Bali, Indra, and cosmic sovereignty.
“Dānavendra” means “lord of the Dānavas” and commonly refers to Bali in Purāṇic dialogue contexts; here Indra affirms what that Dānava-king has told him.
The verse highlights the tension between ego/status and dharma: Indra’s concern about “shame” signals how pride and fear of losing prestige can shape decisions, contrasted with the inevitability of divine order.