Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 62
The Aśokasundarī–Nahuṣa Episode: Demon Stratagems, Protection by Merit, and Lineage Prophecy
विद्वर उवाच । अचिराद्द्रक्ष्यसि भर्तारं त्वमेवं शृणु सुंदरि । एवमुक्त्वा जगामाथ गंधर्वो विबुधालयम्
vidvara uvāca | acirāddrakṣyasi bhartāraṃ tvamevaṃ śṛṇu suṃdari | evamuktvā jagāmātha gaṃdharvo vibudhālayam
วิทวระกล่าวว่า “โอ้หญิงงาม ไม่นานนักเจ้าจะได้เห็นสามีของเจ้า จงฟังดังนี้เถิด” ครั้นกล่าวแล้ว คันธรรพะก็จากไปสู่เทวาลัยของเหล่าเทพ
Vidvara
Concept: Patience grounded in trustworthy assurance: what is ordained will manifest ‘soon’; listen with faith and steadiness.
Application: When awaiting an outcome, accept a realistic horizon (‘acirāt’) and focus on present duties; avoid spiraling into worry after receiving sound counsel.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Vidvara, radiant as a Gandharva, offers a final reassuring gesture—two fingers raised in calm certainty—while Aśokasundarī listens, her face softening into hope. Then he ascends into the sky along a luminous path toward the vibudha-ālaya, leaving behind a lingering shimmer like music made visible.","primary_figures":["Vidvara (Gandharva)","Aśokasundarī"],"setting":"garden edge opening into a vast sky; faint celestial city forms in the upper distance","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["silver white","midnight blue","pale turquoise","soft gold","lavender"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vidvara as a jeweled Gandharva with veena, speaking reassurance to Aśokasundarī; gold leaf used for celestial pathway and the distant vibudha-ālaya; rich textiles, ornate borders, gem-like highlights, traditional iconography with a luminous ascent scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant Gandharva departing into a cool moonlit sky; delicate cloud bands, faint celestial palace silhouettes; Aśokasundarī below near a lotus pond, subtle emotional relief on her face; fine brushwork and restrained palette.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized ascent with bold outlines; Vidvara with characteristic mural eyes and ornaments, veena tucked at the side; upper register shows vibudha-ālaya in symbolic geometry; strong midnight blue field with silver-gold accents and floral borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central scene framed by lotus vines and starry motifs; Gandharva’s ascent rendered as a decorative spiral of clouds; deep blue cloth ground with gold highlights, peacocks at the bottom, celestial palace at the top like a shrine panel."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["veena resonance (imagined)","soft conch in distance","night breeze","faint celestial chimes"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अचिराद्द्रक्ष्यसि = अचिरात् + द्रक्ष्यसि; त्वमेवं = त्वम् + एवम्; एवमुक्त्वा = एवम् + उक्त्वा; जगामाथ = जगाम + अथ.
FAQs
The speaker is Vidvara, addressing a woman referred to as “Sundari” (beautiful one), reassuring her that she will soon see her husband.
“Vibudhālaya” literally means “the abode of the vibudhas (gods),” i.e., a heavenly realm or divine residence; the verse says the Gandharva departs there.
The verse highlights reassurance and compassionate guidance in distress: offering hope (“you will soon see your husband”) and clear instruction (“listen thus”) before departing.