Shloka 35
The Battle of Nahuṣa and Huṇḍa
within the Guru-tīrtha Glorification Episode
क्षुरप्रैर्निशितैर्बाणैश्चर्म चिच्छेद भूपतिः । अथ हुंडः स दुष्टात्मा समालोक्य समंततः
kṣuraprairniśitairbāṇaiścarma ciccheda bhūpatiḥ | atha huṃḍaḥ sa duṣṭātmā samālokya samaṃtataḥ
క్షురప్రసమానమైన పదునైన బాణాలతో రాజు అతని చర్మాన్ని చీల్చెను; అప్పుడు దుష్టాత్ముడైన హుండుడు చుట్టూ అన్ని వైపులా చూచెను।
Narrator (epic narration within the Padma Purāṇa; specific dialogue-speaker not explicit in this single verse)
Concept: Skill (kaushala) guided by duty overcomes brute force; adharma becomes disoriented when its defenses fall.
Application: Use precise, ethical strategy rather than rage; remove protective rationalizations that shield harmful habits.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The king releases a tight volley of razor-headed arrows that slice through the demon’s shield straps and rim, splintering it into curling fragments. Huṇḍa’s eyes widen; he pivots, scanning the battlefield’s four quarters for allies, his stance suddenly uncertain amid flying debris.","primary_figures":["Bhūpati (the king)","Huṇḍa (daitya)"],"setting":"Battlefield mid-melee with broken chariots, fallen standards, and a haze of arrow-feathers; distant soldiers frozen in shock.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance cutting through smoke","color_palette":["smoke silver","charcoal black","arrow-feather white","royal crimson","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the king in frontal heroic poise drawing a bow, gold-leaf highlights on bow and crown; arrows depicted as luminous streaks; Huṇḍa’s shield breaking into ornate fragments with embossed gold accents; rich reds/greens, jewel-toned ornaments, symmetrical composition with decorative borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: fine brushwork shows arrowheads like tiny crescents; shield fragments arc gracefully; Huṇḍa turning his head to look around, expressive eyes; muted mountain-like blues in the background haze, warm earth tones underfoot.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized bow and arrows with rhythmic repetition; shield rendered as patterned disc splitting; bold outlines, saturated reds/yellows/greens; Huṇḍa’s ‘dushṭa’ nature conveyed through exaggerated brows and fangs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: battlefield framed by lotus and vine borders; arrows as golden lines; the king’s banner subtly bears Vaishnava symbols (chakra/shankha); deep indigo ground with gold and white detailing, ornamental textile patterns on garments."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["bowstring twang","arrow hiss","shield crack","distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: क्षुरप्रैर्निशितैर्बाणैश्चर्म = क्षुरप्रैः + निशितैः + बाणैः + चर्म; समंततः = समन्ततः (अनुस्वार-परिवर्तन); हुंडः = हुṃḍaḥ (अनुस्वार/अनुनासिक-लिप्यन्तर)
FAQs
The king uses razor-edged, sharpened arrows to cut through the opponent’s leather shield/armor, after which Huṇḍa scans the surroundings.
Carma literally means “leather” and in battle contexts commonly refers to a leather shield or protective leather armor.
The verse contrasts the king’s decisive martial skill with Huṇḍa’s wicked disposition and anxious vigilance, setting up the next turn in the confrontation.