Padma Purana — Srishti Khanda, Shloka 124
The Establishment of Vāmana at Kānyakubja and the Sanctification of Setu
आनीय चार्पयद्रामे वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह । यदा वै निर्जितः शक्रो मेघनादेन राघव
ānīya cārpayadrāme vākyaṃ cedamuvāca ha | yadā vai nirjitaḥ śakro meghanādena rāghava
उसे लाकर उसने राम को अर्पित किया और ये वचन कहा— “हे राघव, जब मेघनाद ने शक्र (इन्द्र) को पराजित किया था…”
Unspecified narrator (a messenger/attendant addressing Rāma in context)
Concept: Historical memory (itihāsa within Purāṇa) is used to ground present ritual action; sacred objects are tied to decisive dharmic events.
Application: When making important decisions, seek the deeper context—origins and consequences—rather than acting on surface urgency alone.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A messenger approaches Rāma with a wrapped sacred object and a grave expression, as if carrying both relic and revelation. Behind the spoken words, the scene can ‘double-expose’ into a celestial battle memory: Indra’s chariot faltering under Meghanāda’s assault, lightning dimmed, the sky bruised with war-clouds.","primary_figures":["Rāma","messenger/attendant","Indra (memory-vision)","Meghanāda/Indrajit (memory-vision)"],"setting":"Foreground: Rāma’s camp council space; Background: a visionary celestial battlefield in the clouds, suggesting the narrated past.","lighting_mood":"dramatic storm-lit","color_palette":["storm violet","steel blue","lightning white","burnished gold","crimson"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: split-scene composition—Rāma receiving the message in the lower panel with gold-leaf halo, upper panel showing Indra vs Meghanāda in a cloud-chariot battle; heavy gold embellishment on weapons and crowns, rich reds and greens, ornate borders framing the narrative tiers.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant narrative layering with a soft-edged ‘memory cloud’ above the camp; delicate depiction of chariots in the sky, refined faces, cool storm palette, subtle lightning strokes, lyrical composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines for Rāma and messenger, stylized cloud-battle vignette above; strong reds/yellows/greens with black contouring; expressive eyes and dynamic weapon arcs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative medallions—central Rāma receiving message, surrounding smaller cloud-medallions depicting Indra’s defeat; ornate floral borders, deep blue ground with gold lightning motifs, symmetrical storytelling layout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["distant thunder","conch blast","war drum roll","wind gust","sudden hush on ‘Rāghava’"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चार्पयद्रामे = च + अर्पयत् + रामे; चेदम् = च + इदम्; इदमुवाच = इदम् + उवाच।
FAQs
It introduces a recollection that Indra (Śakra) was defeated by Meghanāda, presented as part of a message or narration delivered to Rāma.
Meghanāda is a well-known epithet of Indrajit (Rāvaṇa’s son), famed for victories over the gods, including Indra, in Ramayana-related traditions.
The verse sets up a contrast between divine power and the surprising reversals of fortune in war, preparing the listener (Rāma) for counsel grounded in prior precedents of victory and defeat.