Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 4
The Deeds of Nahuṣa: Entry into Nāgāhvaya, Reunion with Parents, and Royal Consecration
देवरूपोपमैः पुण्यैः पुरुषैः समलंकृतम् । नारीभिर्दिव्यरूपाभिर्गजाश्वैः स्यंदनैस्तथा
devarūpopamaiḥ puṇyaiḥ puruṣaiḥ samalaṃkṛtam | nārībhirdivyarūpābhirgajāśvaiḥ syaṃdanaistathā
అది దేవసమాన రూపముగల పుణ్యవంతులైన పురుషులతో అలంకృతమై; అలాగే దివ్యరూపిణీ స్త్రీలు, గజ‑అశ్వాలు మరియు రథాలతో కూడ సుసజ్జితమై ఉంది।
Unspecified (narrative description within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa; likely within a Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue context, but not determinable from this single verse alone)
Concept: True ornamentation of a city is not only wealth (elephants, horses, chariots) but the virtue (puṇya) and refined conduct of its people.
Application: Cultivate character as one’s real ‘ornament’; let resources serve protection, hospitality, and worship rather than vanity.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The boulevards of Nāgāhvaya teem with radiant citizens—men with calm, noble faces and women with divine grace—moving among caparisoned elephants, spirited horses, and polished chariots. The scene feels like a deva-sabhā translated onto earth, where virtue itself seems to glow.","primary_figures":["virtuous citizens","noblewomen","mahouts","horsemen","charioteers"],"setting":"wide city boulevard with palatial facades and processional traffic","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm gold","sandalwood beige","royal purple","peacock green","copper brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: richly ornamented elephants and horses with gold leaf trappings, citizens with serene expressions, palace backdrop with gilded details, jewel-toned garments, embossed halos subtly suggesting ‘deva-rūpa’ likeness.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lively street scene with elegant figures, delicate detailing on textiles and animal harnesses, soft morning light, balanced composition with chariots and elephants, refined faces and gentle movement.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines for elephants, horses, and chariots, patterned costumes, warm palette with strong reds/yellows/greens, stylized eyes and calm expressions emphasizing ‘pūṇya’ aura.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative procession with repeating motifs of elephants and chariots, floral borders, peacock accents, deep blues and gold highlights, ornamental symmetry emphasizing abundance and grace."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["elephant bells","hoofbeats","soft crowd hum","distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: devarūpopamaiḥ = deva-rūpa-upamaiḥ; nārībhir divyarūpābhir = nārībhiḥ divya-rūpābhiḥ; gajāśvaiḥ = gaja-aśvaiḥ.
FAQs
A place (such as a city, court, or assembly) is being depicted as richly adorned—filled with virtuous, godlike men, beautiful women, and royal conveyances like elephants, horses, and chariots.
It is a Purāṇic poetic marker of extraordinary excellence—suggesting radiance, nobility, and auspicious merit, not literal divinity, to convey an elevated, almost celestial atmosphere.
The verse implies that true splendor is grounded in merit and virtue: the greatness of a place is measured not only by wealth and power but by the quality and righteousness of those present.