Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 26
Viṣṇu’s Māyā and the Stratagem Against Vihuṇḍa
with the Kāmodā–Gaṅgādvāra motif
तेषां पुष्पकृतां मालां मम कंठे तु दानव । आरोपय महाभाग एतद्दायं प्रदेहि मे
teṣāṃ puṣpakṛtāṃ mālāṃ mama kaṃṭhe tu dānava | āropaya mahābhāga etaddāyaṃ pradehi me
हे दानवा! त्या पुष्पांची केलेली माळ माझ्या कंठात घाल. हे महाभाग! हा दाय (उपहार/हिस्सा) मला अर्पण कर.
Unspecified (context-dependent dialogue within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Offerings culminate in a symbolic act (placing the garland) that seals intention; ritual objects can bind when driven by bhoga, or purify when offered in devotion.
Application: Make the ‘final act’ of any effort align with values—dedicate outcomes to the divine or to service, not to egoic craving.
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A colossal garland, thick with layered blossoms, is lifted by attendants and placed around Māyā’s neck as she stands like a living mirage. Vihuṇḍa watches with triumphant expectation, while the garland’s fragrance forms luminous spirals—suggesting both blessing and bondage.","primary_figures":["Māyā","Vihuṇḍa (Dānava)","Attendants/priests"],"setting":"Near the shrine precinct or a ritual pavilion draped with cloth, flower baskets, and incense stands; the garland dominates the composition.","lighting_mood":"golden lamp-glow with shimmering haze","color_palette":["lotus pink","ivory white","saffron","deep teal","burnished gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Māyā centered with gold leaf halo, receiving an enormous multi-layered garland; Vihuṇḍa at side with eager expression; embossed gold ornaments, rich textile patterns, ornate borders, flower textures rendered as jewel-like clusters.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: graceful moment of garland placement with delicate floral detailing; Māyā’s calm face contrasts Vihuṇḍa’s anticipation; soft architectural pavilion, gentle haze lines for fragrance; refined, lyrical composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized garland as a thick patterned loop; Māyā frontal with composed eyes, Vihuṇḍa in profile; warm pigments and decorative background panels like a temple wall painting.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: garland and floral motifs become the main ornamental field; Māyā adorned at center, symmetrical attendants holding the garland; deep blue and gold with intricate borders, repeating blossoms to convey abundance and ritual finality."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft bells","flower rustle","incense crackle","low chanting","brief silence at the moment of garlanding"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुष्पकृतां = पुष्प + कृताम् (तत्पुरुष); एतद्दायं = एतत् + दायम्.
FAQs
The verse describes placing a flower-made garland on the speaker’s neck, suggesting an act of honoring, offering, or ceremonial adornment.
It emphasizes respectful giving and fulfilling a requested offering (dāya), framing generosity and proper ritual conduct as valued actions.
The speaker addresses a “Dānava” (a demon/Asura-class being). Without surrounding verses, the exact identities (speaker and addressee) cannot be pinned down beyond this vocative.