Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 16
Viṣṇu’s Māyā and the Stratagem Against Vihuṇḍa
with the Kāmodā–Gaṅgādvāra motif
विहुंडं नाशयिष्यामि पापिष्ठं देवकंटकम् । एवमाभाष्य तान्देवान्मायां कृत्वा जनार्दनः
vihuṃḍaṃ nāśayiṣyāmi pāpiṣṭhaṃ devakaṃṭakam | evamābhāṣya tāndevānmāyāṃ kṛtvā janārdanaḥ
“ദേവന്മാർക്കു കണ്ഠകമായ ആ മഹാപാപി വിഹുണ്ഡനെ ഞാൻ നശിപ്പിക്കും.” ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞ് ജനാർദനൻ ദിവ്യമായ മായ പ്രയോഗിച്ചു।
Janārdana (Viṣṇu) speaking to the gods (Devas)
Concept: The Supreme protects dharma by removing ‘thorns’ to the devas; divine māyā is an instrument of governance, not delusion for the Lord.
Application: Pair compassion with decisive action against harm; use skillful means (upāya) ethically—strategy in service of protection is not duplicity.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Janārdana stands before the devas with unwavering calm, declaring the end of the wicked Vihuṇḍa. As he turns to act, a veil of luminous māyā unfurls—like a cosmic silk curtain—forming divine forms and pathways, suggesting a swift, intelligent intervention rather than brute force.","primary_figures":["Janārdana (Viṣṇu)","Indra","assembled devas"],"setting":"A threshold space between celestial court and the worlds—an open mandapa that looks out onto a star-strewn cosmic expanse, hinting at imminent descent or divine maneuver.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance with prismatic shimmer (māyā)","color_palette":["electric blue","molten gold","amethyst purple","sea-green","crystal white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Janārdana in commanding stance, gold leaf aura expanding into patterned ‘māyā’ waves; śaṅkha-cakra-gadā highlighted with embossed gold; devas behind in reverent attention; ornate arch and lotus base, rich crimson and emerald accents, gem-like detailing on ornaments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant depiction of Viṣṇu stepping forward, a translucent, rainbow-like veil of māyā painted with fine washes; devas watching with uplifted faces; airy cosmic background with delicate stars; cool blues and purples balanced by soft gold.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and stylized dynamic posture; māyā shown as concentric bands of red-yellow-green around Viṣṇu; expressive eyes conveying resolve; devas arranged rhythmically; temple-wall aesthetic with ornamental borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Viṣṇu with swirling, patterned māyā motifs like textile waves; lotus and floral borders dense and intricate; symmetrical devas; deep blue ground with gold filigree and jewel-toned accents, creating a sense of wondrous divine strategy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell (victory call)","temple bells","mridanga (steady)","rising drone","brief silence after the vow"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एवमाभाष्य = एवम् + आभाष्य; तान्देवान् = तान् + देवान्; देवान्मायाम् = देवान् + मायाम्
FAQs
Janārdana (Viṣṇu) is addressing the Devas, assuring them he will eliminate Vihuṇḍa, described as a menace to the gods.
Devakaṇṭaka literally means “thorn to the gods,” indicating a persistent threat or tormentor of the divine order (dharma) and the Devas.
The verse emphasizes divine guardianship: when destructive wickedness threatens cosmic order, Viṣṇu intervenes—often through māyā (strategic divine power)—to restore balance rather than through brute force alone.