Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 15
Nahusha’s Challenge to Hunda and the Mustering of Battle
एवमाकर्ण्य तत्सर्वं नहुषस्य महात्मनः । गत्वा हुंडं स दुष्टात्मा आचचक्षेऽस्य भाषितम्
evamākarṇya tatsarvaṃ nahuṣasya mahātmanaḥ | gatvā huṃḍaṃ sa duṣṭātmā ācacakṣe'sya bhāṣitam
ครั้นได้ฟังถ้อยคำทั้งหมดของมหาตมะนะหุษะแล้ว ผู้มีใจชั่วนั้นก็ไปหา หุณฑะ และรายงานถ้อยคำที่นะหุษะกล่าวแก่เขา
Narrator (within the ongoing Purāṇic dialogue; specific speaker not identifiable from this single verse alone)
Concept: Words carry karmic consequence; malicious reporting (paiśunya) accelerates adharma and conflict.
Application: Avoid gossip and relaying inflammatory speech; verify intent and truth before repeating; practice ‘satya-hita-priya’ speech as daily vrata of the tongue.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A shadowed corridor of a daitya stronghold: a sly envoy bows low, whispering Nahusha’s words into the ear of Huṇḍa seated on a dark throne. Behind them, torchlight throws long, jagged shadows across carved pillars, hinting at impending violence and the corrosion of dharma through deceitful speech.","primary_figures":["Huṇḍa (Daitya ruler)","wicked-minded messenger/spy","Nahusha (implied, not necessarily shown)"],"setting":"Asura palace interior with basalt pillars, weapon racks, and ominous banners; a narrow passage leading to the throne dais.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["obsidian black","smoky crimson","burnished bronze","ash gray","saffron torchlight"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Huṇḍa on a dark jeweled throne receiving a whispering messenger, heavy gold leaf on crown and ornaments, rich maroon and emerald textiles, stylized palace pillars, dramatic torch flames rendered with gilded highlights, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry despite the ominous mood.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: an intimate palace chamber with delicate linework, the messenger leaning in to speak, cool slate shadows contrasted with warm lamp glow, refined facial expressions showing cunning and suspicion, patterned carpets and arched niches, lyrical yet tense composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Huṇḍa’s large expressive eyes and elaborate crown, earthy reds/yellows/greens, torchlight halos, palace wall motifs, the messenger in a bent posture conveying secrecy, mural-like flat perspective with ornamental borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative panel of a dark court scene framed by intricate floral borders and lotus motifs ironically contrasting the intrigue, deep indigo background with gold detailing, stylized attendants and banners, symmetrical composition with the throne centered and the messenger at the side."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Darbari","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low drum pulse","torch crackle","distant conch","murmured court voices","heavy silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एवमाकर्ण्य = एवम् + आकर्ण्य; तत्सर्वम् = तत् + सर्वम्; आचचक्षेऽस्य = आचचक्षे + अस्य
FAQs
The verse refers to an unnamed person who, after hearing Nahusha, goes to Huṇḍa and relays Nahusha’s speech; that messenger/agent is labeled “duṣṭātmā.”
It marks a transition: Nahusha’s statements are overheard and then carried to Huṇḍa, setting up the next action or conflict driven by reported speech.
It cautions that speech can be weaponized through malicious reporting; hearing and repeating someone’s words with ill intent can become a catalyst for harm and conflict.