Padma Purana — Svarga Khanda, Shloka 14
Origin of Jaleśvara Tīrtha and the Devas’ Appeal to Śiva against Bāṇa/Tripura
Nārada’s Mission
कथं केन प्रकारेण हंतव्यस्त्रिपुरो मया । एवं संचिंत्य भगवान्नारदं स्मरते तदा । स्मरणादेव संप्राप्तो नारदः समुपस्थितः
kathaṃ kena prakāreṇa haṃtavyastripuro mayā | evaṃ saṃciṃtya bhagavānnāradaṃ smarate tadā | smaraṇādeva saṃprāpto nāradaḥ samupasthitaḥ
“ເຮົາຈະປະຫານຕຣິປຸຣາແນວໃດ ແລະດ້ວຍວິທີໃດ?” ພຣະພະຄະວານຄິດຄຳນຶງດັ່ງນີ້ ແລ້ວຈຶ່ງລະລຶກເຖິງນາຣະດ; ພຽງແຕ່ການລະລຶກນັ້ນເທົ່ານັ້ນ ນາຣະດກໍມາຮອດທັນທີ ແລະຢືນຢູ່ຕໍ່ໜ້າ
Narrator (contextual third-person narration within the dialogue frame of the Svarga-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Smaraṇa (remembrance) has immediate potency; divine intention and focused recollection can summon help and align events.
Application: In crisis, pause for clear reflection and invoke the wise (guru/sādhu) through sincere remembrance and prayer; seek counsel before action.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A great Lord sits in poised contemplation, gaze fixed inward as the question of Tripura’s destruction turns like a wheel in his mind. From the stillness of remembrance, Nārada materializes instantly—vīṇā in hand—his arrival rippling the air with subtle light, as distant in the sky the threefold city glimmers like a moving constellation.","primary_figures":["Īśvara (Śiva)","Nārada","Tripura (aerial city, symbolic presence)"],"setting":"A celestial terrace or mountain-like divine seat overlooking the heavens; far background shows the luminous, drifting Tripura.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["ash white","sapphire blue","smoky violet","gold leaf","pearl silver"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Śiva seated in yogic poise on a jeweled pedestal, right hand in thoughtful gesture, crescent moon and gaṅgā motif in hair; Nārada appears mid-step with vīṇā, haloed, as if emerging from the air; distant Tripura rendered as three interlocked golden citadels in the sky; heavy gold leaf halos, rich vermilion and emerald borders, gem-studded ornaments, traditional South Indian iconography, ornate arch frame.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a serene Himalayan-sky panorama with Śiva on a rocky ledge, subtle ash tones and cool blues; Nārada arrives lightly, vīṇā angled, delicate facial features and fine linework; Tripura as a small, luminous floating fortress in the upper sky; lyrical clouds, refined brushwork, gentle gradients, quiet wonder.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments; Śiva with large expressive eyes, ash-smeared body, tiger-skin motif; Nārada in dynamic pose with vīṇā; Tripura stylized as three stacked golden cities amid swirling cloud bands; temple-wall aesthetic with red/yellow/green dominance and controlled ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: celestial courtyard framed by lotus and floral borders; Śiva and Nārada centered with ornate halos; Tripura depicted as a decorative floating palace motif among stylized clouds; intricate patterning, deep indigo background, gold highlights, peacocks at the border, dense floral filigree."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","distant conch shell","wind through high clouds","tanpura drone","brief silence at the moment of remembrance"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हन्तव्यः + त्रिपुरः → हंतव्यस्त्रिपुरो (visarga sandhi); भगवान् + नारदम् → भगवान्नारदम्; स्मरणात् + एव → स्मरणादेव
FAQs
The Lord wonders how to kill Tripura and, upon remembering Nārada, Nārada immediately appears.
It suggests the immediacy and efficacy of divine remembrance—invocation through thought itself brings the sage’s presence without delay.
Nārada commonly functions as a divine messenger and strategist, guiding gods and devotees with counsel that advances the cosmic resolution of conflicts.