Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 19
Viṣṇu’s Māyā and the Stratagem Against Vihuṇḍa
with the Kāmodā–Gaṅgādvāra motif
विहुंडस्य वधार्थाय रूपलावण्यशालिनी । कुंजल उवाच । स देवानां वधार्थाय दिव्यमार्गं जगाम ह
vihuṃḍasya vadhārthāya rūpalāvaṇyaśālinī | kuṃjala uvāca | sa devānāṃ vadhārthāya divyamārgaṃ jagāma ha
นางผู้เพียบพร้อมด้วยรูปโฉมและเสน่ห์ ออกไปเพื่อการสังหารวิหุณฑะ กุญชละกล่าวว่า: แล้วเขาก็ไปตามมรรคทิพย์ ด้วยเจตนาจะฆ่าเหล่าเทวะ
Kuñjala
Concept: Adharma-driven aggression turns back upon itself; divine strategy may employ beauty and illusion to neutralize violence.
Application: Do not underestimate subtle methods in conflict resolution; cultivate self-control so that charm and provocation do not hijack judgment.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dazzling woman of unearthly beauty strides along a luminous sky-road, her anklets chiming like distant bells, while far behind a shadowy asura host gathers like storm clouds. The ‘divine path’ arcs over svarga’s jeweled terraces, suggesting that destiny itself is guiding the chase toward a decisive confrontation.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇu’s Māyā (as the beautiful woman)","Vihuṇḍa (asura target, implied)","asura host / diti-ja forces (optional silhouettes)","Kuñjala (as narrator-sage, optional corner figure)"],"setting":"Aerial celestial roadway with floating lotuses, svarga palaces, and cloud-banners; distant Nandana greenery fading behind.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sunrise gold","cloud gray","turquoise","coral red","ivory"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a radiant celestial woman walking on a gilded sky-bridge, gold leaf highlighting the path and ornaments, svarga palaces with ornate pillars, asura silhouettes in darker tones at the horizon, rich reds/greens in textiles, heavy jeweled detailing and symmetrical border motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: slender figure on a pale golden cloud-path, delicate jewelry, soft dawn sky gradients, distant palace rooftops and garden patches, subtle suggestion of pursuing darkness, refined facial expression conveying calm purpose.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined heroine with elaborate crown and ornaments, stylized cloud-road and palace forms, warm yellow-red background with green accents, narrative clarity with emblematic asura forms in the distance.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central walking figure framed by ornate floral borders, lotus and cloud motifs forming the ‘divine path’, deep blue-to-gold gradient sky, peacocks at corners, intricate textile patterning with Vaishnava symbols subtly embedded."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","mridanga strokes","wind rush","distant thunder"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वधार्थाय = वध + अर्थाय; दिव्यमार्गम् = दिव्य + मार्गम्
FAQs
The verse explicitly marks the speaker as “Kuñjala” (kuñjala uvāca). It signals a narrated report within the chapter, framing actions and intentions of the characters in the ongoing conflict.
“Divya-mārga” literally means “divine path/way.” In context it indicates a supernormal or celestial route or means—suggesting access to higher realms or extraordinary movement—used here with hostile intent toward the devas.
The verse highlights intention (vadhārthāya, “for the purpose of killing”) as morally decisive: beauty or divine access is not inherently virtuous; its ethical value depends on whether it serves dharma (protection) or adharma (harm).