Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 25
The Deeds of Nahuṣa: Entry into Nāgāhvaya, Reunion with Parents, and Royal Consecration
अथ देवाः समागत्य नागाह्वयं पुरोत्तमम् । अभ्यषिंचन्महात्मानं नहुषं वीरमर्दनम्
atha devāḥ samāgatya nāgāhvayaṃ purottamam | abhyaṣiṃcanmahātmānaṃ nahuṣaṃ vīramardanam
แล้วเหล่าเทวะได้มาชุมนุมกัน และในนครอันประเสริฐชื่อ นาคาหวยะ ได้ประกอบพิธีอภิเษกแด่มหาตมะนะหุษะ ผู้ปราบวีรชนทั้งหลาย
Narrator (within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue frame typical of Bhūmi-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Legitimate rule is portrayed as consecration (abhiṣeka) by higher powers—authority is not merely seized but ritually and morally sanctioned.
Application: Seek ‘consecration’ of your roles through ethics: let community trust, mentors’ blessings, and self-discipline validate leadership.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In Nāgāhvaya, the devas gather in a jeweled civic square before a high consecration dais; they pour shimmering waters from golden kalaśas over Nahuṣa’s crowned head. Above, clouds part into a celestial canopy while nāga-emblems and city-gates gleam, suggesting the city’s ‘foremost’ status and the cosmic endorsement of rule.","primary_figures":["Nahuṣa","assembled devas (Indra’s court figures)","ṛṣi officiants (optional)","city guardians with nāga insignia"],"setting":"A grand city (pur-uttama) with towering gates, lotus-carved pillars, and a consecration platform; banners, parasols, and rows of lamps; subtle nāga motifs in architecture and standards.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["liquid gold","sky turquoise","pearl white","ruby red","lapis lazuli"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Deva-abhiṣeka of Nahuṣa in Nāgāhvaya—gods in ornate crowns pour water from gold kalaśas; heavy gold leaf on halos, vessels, and city architecture; rich reds/greens, embossed jewelry, symmetrical divine assembly, gem-studded ornaments, traditional iconographic poses and auspicious borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Elegant consecration scene in a refined city courtyard; delicate brushwork on devas’ garments, translucent water streams, soft cloud canopy; cool blues and gentle gold accents, lyrical architecture with nāga motifs subtly integrated, serene yet majestic expressions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Iconic abhiṣeka tableau—Nahuṣa centered, devas flanking with kalaśas; bold outlines, flat pigments, radiant yellow-red-green palette, stylized city gate behind, ornamental border with lotus and serpent motifs, temple-wall grandeur.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Consecration dais framed by intricate floral borders and lotus medallions; deep blue background with gold highlights; devas arranged like a ceremonial garland around Nahuṣa; peacocks and auspicious motifs at corners; nāga patterns woven into the border to echo Nāgāhvaya."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","kettledrums","crowd murmur","pouring water"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अभ्यषिंचन्महात्मानं → अभ्यषिञ्चन् महात्मानम्
FAQs
It describes the devas assembling and performing an abhiṣeka (royal consecration) of Nahuṣa in the foremost city called Nāgāhvaya.
Nahuṣa is presented as a powerful and “great-souled” ruler—praised as vīra-mardana (“subduer of heroes”)—whom the gods formally install through consecration.
The verse implies that legitimate rule is tied to ritual and moral sanction: sovereignty is not merely force, but a responsibility publicly affirmed through sacred rite and cosmic approval.