Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 53
The Vena Episode and the Sukalā Narrative: The Speaking Sow, Pulastya’s Curse, and Indra’s Appeal
तथा तमागतं विप्रो गीतविद्याधरं नृप । चेष्टितं तस्य वै दृष्ट्वा घोणिरेष भवेन्नहि
tathā tamāgataṃ vipro gītavidyādharaṃ nṛpa | ceṣṭitaṃ tasya vai dṛṣṭvā ghoṇireṣa bhavennahi
ឱ ព្រះរាជា ព្រះព្រាហ្មណ៍នោះក៏បានឃើញអ្នកជំនាញចម្រៀង ដូចវិទ្យាធរ មកដល់; ហើយពេលមើលអាកប្បកិរិយារបស់គាត់ ក៏ដឹងថា «នេះមិនមែនជា ឃោណី ទេ»។
Narrator (contextual; verse addresses a king: 'nṛpa')
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तमागतं = तम् + आगतम्; घोणिरेष = घोणिः + एषः; भवेन्नहि = भवेत् + न + हि (त् + न → न्न)
FAQs
It teaches that identity is recognized by conduct (ceṣṭita), not merely by appearance—leading the brāhmaṇa to conclude the newcomer is not Ghoṇi.
It literally means “one who possesses the knowledge/art of song,” implying a highly accomplished singer, evocative of Gandharva/Vidyādhara refinement.
Discernment: one should judge truth and character through observed behavior rather than assumptions based on outward presentation.