Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 10
Viṣṇu’s Māyā and the Stratagem Against Vihuṇḍa
with the Kāmodā–Gaṅgādvāra motif
तपस्तपति सक्रोधाद्देवान्हंतुं समुद्यतः । पौरुषं तस्य दुष्टस्य तपसा वर्द्धितस्य च
tapastapati sakrodhāddevānhaṃtuṃ samudyataḥ | pauruṣaṃ tasya duṣṭasya tapasā varddhitasya ca
ക്രോധത്തിൽ ജ്വലിച്ച തപസ്തപതി ദേവന്മാരെ വധിക്കുവാൻ എഴുന്നേറ്റു; ആ ദുഷ്ടന്റെ പുരുഷബലം തപസ്സാൽ കൂടുതൽ വർദ്ധിച്ചിരുന്നു.
Unspecified narrator (context not provided in the input excerpt)
Concept: Power gained through austerity is morally neutral; when driven by krodha it becomes adharma and threatens cosmic order.
Application: Channel discipline into constructive aims; monitor anger as a contaminant that can weaponize your strengths.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Tapastapati rises like a living flame from his austerities, eyes blazing with wrath, bowing neither to heaven nor law. The sky above the hermitage cracks with ominous light as the devas appear in the distance, alarmed, while the ascetic’s tapas radiance swells into a storm of power.","primary_figures":["Tapastapati","Devas (Indra and attendants as silhouettes)"],"setting":"A scorched ascetic clearing with a smoldering fire-pit, cracked earth, and a darkening sky; distant celestial chariots hover anxiously.","lighting_mood":"thunder-lit","color_palette":["molten gold","charcoal black","ember orange","electric violet","ash gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Tapastapati with a fierce halo rendered in embossed gold leaf, flames stylized around his body; devas in ornate crowns recoiling at the edges; rich reds, blacks, and gold, dramatic temple-arch framing, gem-like highlights on weapons and ornaments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: dynamic posture of the ascetic rising, delicate depiction of heat waves; devas as small, refined figures in the sky; cool indigo storm clouds contrasted with warm ember tones, fine linework for tension.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, exaggerated fierce eyes of Tapastapati, concentric aura bands; devas arranged symmetrically in the upper register; dominant reds/yellows with black-green shadows, mural intensity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central fiery ascetic figure surrounded by patterned flame motifs; border of lotuses turning dark at corners to symbolize adharma; deep blue ground with gold flame detailing, narrative devotional textile composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["thunder rumble","rapid mridanga strokes","conch blast","crackling fire"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सक्रोधात् = स + क्रोधात्; सक्रोधाद्देवान् = सक्रोधात् + देवान् (त् + द → द्द); देवान्हन्तुम् = देवान् + हन्तुम्
FAQs
It warns that austerity (tapas) can amplify one’s potency, but when joined with anger and wicked intent it becomes destructive—even directed against the gods.
Not automatically. This verse implies tapas is a force that strengthens capability; its moral value depends on the practitioner’s intention and self-control.
Power gained through discipline must be governed by dharma; otherwise, anger-driven strength leads to violence and ruin.