Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 19
The Aśokasundarī–Nahuṣa Episode: Demon Stratagems, Protection by Merit, and Lineage Prophecy
मायोपायेन योगेन हृताहं पापिना पुरा । तथा स घातितः पुत्र आयोश्चैव भविष्यति
māyopāyena yogena hṛtāhaṃ pāpinā purā | tathā sa ghātitaḥ putra āyoścaiva bhaviṣyati
กาลก่อน ข้าถูกคนบาปลักพาไปด้วยโยคะและอุบายแห่งมายา ฉันใด บุตรผู้นั้นก็จักถูกฆ่าฉันนั้น และอายุขัยของเขาก็จักสิ้นสุดลงด้วย
Unspecified (context-dependent within Adhyaya 109 dialogue)
Concept: Deceit (māyā-upāya) used for abduction and harm rebounds as destruction; adharma ripens into inevitable suffering.
Application: Avoid manipulative tactics; when harmed, seek lawful/dharmic remedy and inner refuge rather than repeating the cycle of deceit.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A noble woman recalls her past abduction: her face half-lit, eyes wet with memory, while behind her a ghostly silhouette of the ‘sinful man’ fades into darkness. In the foreground, a symbolic hourglass or extinguishing lamp suggests the shortening of lifespan and the certainty of violent consequence for deceit.","primary_figures":["a noble lady (unnamed)","shadow-figure of the abductor","a symbolic child/son figure (foreshadowed)"],"setting":"inner chamber or palace corridor with latticed windows, memory-like overlays","lighting_mood":"moonlit with stark shadows","color_palette":["ashen silver","midnight blue","blood crimson","pale sandalwood","charcoal gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the lady seated in sorrow with gold leaf halo-like ornamentation, rich textiles, and embossed motifs of a fading dark figure; a lamp with gold highlights symbolizes āyuḥ-kṣaya; ornate frame with traditional floral borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: poignant interior scene with delicate facial emotion, cool moonlight, translucent ‘memory’ figure in the background, fine textile patterns, restrained palette emphasizing grief and foreboding.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: expressive wide eyes and stylized tears, bold outlines; the abductor rendered as a dark, simplified form; symbolic lamp and time motifs integrated into a temple-wall aesthetic composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical panel—lower band shows the abduction as a dark vignette; upper band shows a lotus-and-conch emblem asserting divine moral order; intricate floral borders, deep blues, and gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["soft sob-like cadence","distant thunder","single temple bell","night insects"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मायोपायेन = माया + उपायेन (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष); हृताहं = हृता + अहम्; आयोश्चैव = आयोः + च + एव.
FAQs
It links past wrongdoing and deception with future consequences, forecasting death and the ending of lifespan as a karmic fruition.
It indicates a deceptive tactic or trick—an illusory or fraudulent means used to accomplish an abduction or harm.
Deceit and violence rebound as suffering: harmful actions (especially those done through trickery) are portrayed as leading to inevitable loss and death.