Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 7
Nahusha’s Challenge to Hunda and the Mustering of Battle
किमुक्तं तत्स्फुटं सर्वं कथयस्व ममाग्रतः । हुंडस्य देवमर्दस्य न बिभेति भवान्कथम्
kimuktaṃ tatsphuṭaṃ sarvaṃ kathayasva mamāgrataḥ | huṃḍasya devamardasya na bibheti bhavānkatham
പറഞ്ഞതെല്ലാം എന്റെ മുമ്പിൽ വ്യക്തമായി പറയുക. ദേവന്മാരെ മർദിക്കുന്ന ഹുണ്ടനെ നീ എങ്ങനെ ഭയപ്പെടുന്നില്ല?
Unspecified (interlocutor speaking to a revered person)
Concept: True fearlessness is not recklessness; it is grounded in clarity, purpose, and higher protection.
Application: When facing intimidation, seek clarity of facts (‘tell me clearly’) and anchor courage in principles and support systems rather than bravado.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A questioner steps close, palm raised in insistence, demanding a full account while glancing toward a looming shadow—Huṇḍa’s feared presence implied beyond the pillars. The addressed hero stands calm, eyes steady, as if protected by an unseen divine aura that makes the court’s fear feel distant.","primary_figures":["Questioner/interlocutor","Calm hero/envoy","Implied presence of Huṇḍa (shadow/silhouette)","Court attendants"],"setting":"Pillared hall with long perspective; distant doorway where darkness gathers, suggesting the dānava’s approach; scrolls or message tablets in attendants’ hands.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["deep indigo","bronze","ashen gray","vermilion","pale gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic court interrogation with gold leaf highlights on jewelry and pillars; the hero’s calm face framed by a subtle halo; Huṇḍa suggested as a dark, embossed silhouette at the threshold; rich reds/greens, ornate borders, high contrast.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: expressive gestures and refined faces; a long hall receding into shadow; Huṇḍa hinted as a distant figure; cool palette with delicate detailing of textiles and architectural motifs.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, intense eyes; the questioner’s raised hand and the hero’s composed stance emphasized; Huṇḍa as a stylized dark form with fiery accents; temple-wall symmetry and warm pigments.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative panel framed by lotus borders; central duo in dialogue; background doorway with patterned darkness; deep blues and gold, intricate floral motifs, stylized attendants."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["hushed whispers","distant drum (mridanga)","conch shell (faint)","echoing footsteps"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: किमुक्तं = किम् + उक्तम्; तत्स्फुटं = तत् + स्फुटम्; ममाग्रतः = मम + अग्रतः; भवान्कथम् = भवान् + कथम्।
FAQs
Huṇḍa is referenced as a powerful hostile figure whose epithet “devamarda” means “oppressor/crusher of the gods,” indicating a threat even to the devas.
The speaker asks for a complete and clear recounting of what was previously said, directly in their presence.
The verse highlights the contrast between worldly fear and steadfastness, implying that true strength (often grounded in dharma or divine support) can overcome intimidation by powerful adversaries.