Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 27
Viṣṇu’s Māyā and the Stratagem Against Vihuṇḍa
with the Kāmodā–Gaṅgādvāra motif
तदाहं सुप्रिया भार्या भविष्यामि न संशयः । विहुंड उवाच । एवं देवि करिष्यामि वरं दद्मि प्रयाचितम्
tadāhaṃ supriyā bhāryā bhaviṣyāmi na saṃśayaḥ | vihuṃḍa uvāca | evaṃ devi kariṣyāmi varaṃ dadmi prayācitam
അപ്പോൾ ഞാൻ സംശയമില്ലാതെ നിന്റെ അതിപ്രിയയായ ഭാര്യയായിരിക്കും. വിഹുണ്ഡൻ പറഞ്ഞു—അങ്ങനെ തന്നേ, ദേവീ; ഞാൻ അങ്ങനെ ചെയ്യും. അപേക്ഷിച്ച വരം ഞാൻ നൽകുന്നു.
Vihuṇḍa (second half); an unnamed female speaker in the first half
Concept: Speech as sankalpa: a declared intention and a granted boon shape karmic consequence; promises bind both petitioner and giver.
Application: Be careful with vows and promises; ask only what you can bear the consequences of, and grant requests only after discernment.
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solemn yet tender moment of pledge: a veiled divine woman speaks with unwavering certainty, while Vihuṇḍa, poised and authoritative, raises his hand in boon-giving gesture. The air feels charged with fate—like a mantra sealing a covenant—while unseen forest deities witness the exchange.","primary_figures":["Unnamed female speaker (devī-like presence)","Vihuṇḍa"],"setting":"A liminal grove-court: flowering trees, a small altar-stone, and a faintly glowing lotus motif carved on a pillar, suggesting Purāṇic sanctity without naming a specific tīrtha.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lotus pink","deep vermilion","antique gold","emerald green","indigo shadow"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vihuṇḍa seated in regal posture granting a boon with abhaya/vara-mudrā, the devī-like woman standing with folded hands and a confident gaze; gold leaf haloing both figures, rich red-green textiles, gem-studded ornaments, carved lotus motifs on pillars, ornate arch framing the scene, subtle sacred fire at the base.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: an intimate grove scene with delicate blossoms and slender trees; the woman speaks a vow while Vihuṇḍa responds with a gentle boon-granting gesture; cool twilight palette, refined faces, lyrical negative space, small shrine-stone with lotus carving, birds perched silently above.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined figures, large expressive eyes; Vihuṇḍa granting the requested boon, the woman poised in dignified devotion; temple-grove backdrop with stylized creepers, red-yellow-green pigments, ornamental borders with lotus and conch motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a symbolic vow scene framed by lotus borders and floral arabesques; central figures under a stylized canopy, peacocks and vines around; deep blue ground with gold detailing, subtle Vaishnava motifs (conch, discus) woven into the border to hint at Purāṇic sanctity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","low drone (tanpura)","night insects","distant conch shell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तदाहं = तदा + अहम् (स्वर-सन्धि); वदंत्येवं इत्यादि न अत्र।
FAQs
The verse contains a dialogue: first an unnamed female voice vows to become a beloved wife; then Vihuṇḍa speaks, agreeing and granting the requested boon.
It records a consent-based resolution in a narrative: a woman’s assurance of marriage is followed by Vihuṇḍa’s acceptance and formal granting of a boon.
The passage highlights the importance of clear intention and explicit assent—promises are affirmed openly, and a request (prayācita) is answered with a stated commitment.