Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 2
Nahusha’s Challenge to Hunda and the Mustering of Battle
आचचक्षुश्च दैत्येंद्रं हुंडं सर्वं सुभाषितम् । तमाकर्ण्य स चुक्रोध दूतं वाक्यमथाब्रवीत्
ācacakṣuśca daityeṃdraṃ huṃḍaṃ sarvaṃ subhāṣitam | tamākarṇya sa cukrodha dūtaṃ vākyamathābravīt
ദൂതൻ ദൈത്യേന്ദ്രനായ ഹുണ്ടനോട് മുഴുവൻ സന്ദേശവും സുസ്വരമായ വചനങ്ങളാൽ അറിയിച്ചു. അത് കേട്ട ഉടൻ അവൻ ക്രോധിച്ചു, പിന്നെ ദൂതനോട് ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞു.
Narrator (describing Huṃḍa’s reaction after hearing the envoy)
Concept: Unchecked krodha (anger) follows even ‘well-spoken’ counsel and becomes the engine of adharma; hearing without humility leads to violence.
Application: When provoked, pause before replying; do not let eloquent reports trigger impulsive decisions—practice restraint and prayerful recollection.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The envoy stands with folded hands, having delivered a polished message, while Huṃḍa’s face twists into fury—eyes reddened, jaw clenched, one hand gripping a mace. Courtiers recoil as the throne-room seems to darken, the air vibrating with the moment before violence.","primary_figures":["Huṃḍa (daitya lord)","envoy/messenger","asura courtiers"],"setting":"asura throne hall with towering pillars, banners, and weaponry; the messenger at the foot of the dais","lighting_mood":"dramatic chiaroscuro","color_palette":["obsidian black","crimson","brass gold","storm grey","ember orange"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Huṃḍa on a high throne erupting in anger, gold leaf on crown and mace, rich crimson drapery, messenger below with folded hands; ornate arch and heavy jewelry, stylized flames in lamp niches, intense facial expressions rendered in traditional iconographic exaggeration.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tense court scene with refined linework—Huṃḍa leaning forward in rage, messenger calm but anxious; cool greys and deep reds, subtle shading, architectural frames and patterned carpets, expressive gestures capturing the instant of wrath.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, large fierce eyes of Huṃḍa, exaggerated krodha posture; red/yellow/green pigments, rhythmic pillar patterns, messenger in contrasting calm stance, symbolic mace and banners filling the composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative panel with ornate borders—central throne with Huṃḍa, messenger below; decorative floral motifs juxtaposed with weapon patterns, deep blue background with gold highlights, stylized attendants forming a symmetrical frame around the confrontation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["thunder-like drum","sharp cymbal strikes","echoing hall","angry exhalations","sudden silence after the outburst"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आचचक्षुश्च → आचचक्षुः च; तमाकर्ण्य → तम् आकर्ण्य; वाक्यमथाब्रवीत् → वाक्यम् अथ अब्रवीत्
FAQs
Huṃḍa is identified here as the daityendra—“lord of the Daityas”—a demon-king figure who receives the envoy’s report and reacts with anger.
“Subhāṣitam” indicates the message was delivered in well-chosen, proper, and articulate words—suggesting diplomatic or respectful speech even in a tense context.
It highlights how hearing a report can immediately provoke anger, setting the stage for potentially rash speech—an implicit caution about reacting before reflecting.