Shloka 64
Hymn of Victory: Varāha, the Slaying of Hiraṇyākṣa, and the Praise of Viṣṇu
सिंहव्याघ्रलुलायांश्च तद्वद्द्विप सरीसृपान् । जघान समरे विष्णुं हिरण्याक्षः प्रतापवान्
siṃhavyāghralulāyāṃśca tadvaddvipa sarīsṛpān | jaghāna samare viṣṇuṃ hiraṇyākṣaḥ pratāpavān
సింహాలు, పులులు, నక్కలు అలాగే ఏనుగులు, సర్పాదులను సంహరించి, ప్రతాపవంతుడైన హిరణ్యాక్షుడు సమరంలో విష్ణువును ప్రహరించెను॥
Narrator (within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue framework typical of the Padma Purāṇa)
Concept: Adharma can appear to overpower even the divine in narrative form, setting the stage for the Lord’s decisive restoration of cosmic order.
Application: When confronted by sudden reversals, avoid concluding ultimate defeat; hold steadiness and continue righteous effort until the larger arc becomes clear.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A thunderous cosmic battlefield where Hiraṇyākṣa, blazing with demonic splendor, charges through a ring of slain beasts—lions, tigers, jackals, elephants, and serpents—like omens of untamed chaos. In the center, he strikes at Viṣṇu, creating a moment of stunned stillness as dust and blood-red mist rise, foreshadowing the Lord’s imminent reversal.","primary_figures":["Hiraṇyākṣa","Viṣṇu (Hari)","fallen lions","fallen tigers","fallen elephants","serpents/reptiles"],"setting":"Mythic battlefield with churned earth, shattered weapons, and swirling dust; distant silhouettes of devas watching from the sky.","lighting_mood":"storm-lit with flashes of divine radiance","color_palette":["smoky umber","blood crimson","ashen gray","sapphire blue","molten gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Hiraṇyākṣa in fierce stance with ornate crown and heavy jewelry, striking toward Viṣṇu; dramatic battlefield strewn with symbolic beasts; gold leaf halos around Viṣṇu and subtle gold accents on weapons, rich maroon and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, traditional South Indian iconography with layered borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical yet tense battlefield scene with delicate linework; Hiraṇyākṣa towering, Viṣṇu poised amid swirling dust; cool grays and blues with crimson accents; refined faces, patterned garments, and a distant band of watching devas in pale sky gradients.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and stylized musculature; Hiraṇyākṣa’s fierce eyes and flared nostrils; Viṣṇu with calm, large almond eyes; red-ochre ground, yellow highlights, green costume fields, and rhythmic weapon motifs across the panel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: transform the battlefield into a symbolic cosmic stage—Viṣṇu centered with lotus motifs emerging beneath his feet, demonic chaos at the margins; intricate floral borders, deep indigo background, gold detailing, and stylized animal forms as narrative emblems."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["war drums","conch shell","thunder","clashing metal","wind gusts"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सिंहव्याघ्रलुलायांश्च = सिंह व्याघ्र लुलायान् च (समाहार-गणना; पाठे समासाभासः); तद्वद्द्विप = तद्वत् द्विप(ान्); जघान ... विष्णुं = ‘विष्णुम्’ कर्म; हिरण्याक्षः कर्ता.
FAQs
Hiraṇyākṣa is a powerful daitya (asura) figure associated with cosmic conflict against divine order; this verse highlights his ferocity and battlefield dominance.
In Purāṇic battle narration, verbs like “jaghāna” can describe striking down or overpowering in combat; the broader tradition maintains Viṣṇu’s transcendence, so the line is typically read as a momentary defeat/overpowering within the narrative flow.
The verse underscores the intensity of adharma-driven power and sets up the larger Purāṇic theme that divine order is ultimately restored, even when formidable forces temporarily appear victorious.