Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 15
Viṣṇu’s Māyā and the Stratagem Against Vihuṇḍa
with the Kāmodā–Gaṅgādvāra motif
ऊचुश्च पाहि नो नित्यं विहुंडस्य महाभयात् । श्रीविष्णुरुवाच । वर्द्धंतु देवताः सर्वाः सुसुखेन महेश्वराः
ūcuśca pāhi no nityaṃ vihuṃḍasya mahābhayāt | śrīviṣṇuruvāca | varddhaṃtu devatāḥ sarvāḥ susukhena maheśvarāḥ
அவர்கள், “விஹுண்டனின் மாபெரும் அச்சத்திலிருந்து எங்களை எப்போதும் காத்தருளுங்கள்” என்றனர். ஸ்ரீவிஷ்ணு, “ஹே மகேஸ்வரர்களே, எல்லாத் தேவர்களும் பரம சுகத்தில் வளர்ந்து செழிக்கட்டும்” என்றார்.
Petitioners (unnamed) → Śrī Viṣṇu
Concept: Prayerful dependence (rakṣā-prārthanā) is met by Viṣṇu’s benevolent assurance; divine protection is coupled with the welfare of all devas (cosmic harmony).
Application: When afraid, articulate the fear plainly in prayer; then act from the steadiness that comes from assurance—support collective well-being, not only personal safety.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The devas kneel with folded hands, their faces marked by fear as they name the terror of Vihuṇḍa. Viṣṇu answers with calm authority, his right hand raised in a gesture of blessing, the atmosphere shifting from trembling urgency to luminous reassurance.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇu","Indra","assembled devas (petitioners)"],"setting":"A celestial audience chamber with lotus pillars, hanging garlands, and a faint view of the cosmic ocean beyond.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit turning into divine radiance","color_palette":["deep indigo","soft gold","ivory","turquoise","rose pink"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Viṣṇu seated with abhaya-mudrā, gold leaf halo and ornate throne; devas in symmetrical rows, hands in añjali; gem-like detailing on crowns; warm reds and greens in the frame with embossed floral borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate court scene with delicate textiles and subtle facial emotion; Viṣṇu’s blessing hand emphasized; devas’ bowed heads forming a gentle arc; pastel sky tones and refined ornamentation.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: strong frontal Viṣṇu icon with stylized eyes; devas rendered in rhythmic repetition; the blessing gesture prominent; background in earthy reds/yellows with green lotus motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Viṣṇu with ornate lotus border; devas arranged like a devotional assembly; intricate floral patterns and gold highlights; deep blue ground with pink lotuses and white garlands."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft bells","conch (gentle)","low drone","whisper of silk/garlands (suggested ambience)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऊचुश्च = ऊचुः + च; श्रीविष्णुरुवाच = श्रीविष्णुः + उवाच
FAQs
The speakers appeal to Śrī Viṣṇu, asking him to protect them continually from the great fear caused by Vihuṇḍa.
Viṣṇu responds with a benediction: that all the deities may flourish in happiness—highlighting divine reassurance and restoration of cosmic well-being.
In danger and fear one should seek refuge in the divine, and the proper resolution aims at the welfare and peace of all—not merely personal safety.