Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 14
Sukalā’s Episode: Padmāvatī’s Crisis, the Speaking Embryo (Kālanemi), and Sudevā’s Begging at Śivaśarmā’s House
स्वोदरे वर्द्धमानस्य चिंतयंती दिवानिशम् । अनेन किमु जातेन लोकनाशकरेण वै
svodare varddhamānasya ciṃtayaṃtī divāniśam | anena kimu jātena lokanāśakareṇa vai
Memandang yang tumbuh dalam rahimnya, siang dan malam ia diliputi cemas: “Apa guna melahirkan dia, yang sungguh menjadi pemusnah dunia?”
Unspecified (a woman/mother figure speaking or being described in narration)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वोदरे = स्व-उदरे; दिवानिशम् = दिवा-निशम् (समास); लोकनाशकरेण = लोक-नाश-करेण; किमु अव्यय-समुच्चयः (किम्+उ)।
FAQs
The verse refers to an unnamed being/child developing in a woman’s womb; the specific identity is not contained in this single shloka and depends on the surrounding narrative in Adhyaya 51.
It portrays maternal anxiety and moral dread—fear that one’s offspring may become harmful to society—highlighting accountability and the perceived consequences of birth and character.
“Lokanāśakara” literally means “one who causes the destruction of the world,” used as a strong epithet indicating catastrophic harm or a grave threat to social/cosmic order.