Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 5
Viṣṇu’s Māyā and the Stratagem Against Vihuṇḍa
with the Kāmodā–Gaṅgādvāra motif
हेमवर्णानि दिव्यानि नीत्वा शिवं समर्चयेत् । सा का नारी समाचक्ष्व स वा को हि महामते
hemavarṇāni divyāni nītvā śivaṃ samarcayet | sā kā nārī samācakṣva sa vā ko hi mahāmate
เมื่ออัญเชิญเครื่องบูชาทิพย์สีทองไปแล้ว พึงสักการะพระศิวะโดยถูกต้องตามพิธี ข้าแต่ผู้มีปัญญายิ่ง จงบอกเถิด นางนั้นเป็นสตรีเช่นไร และชายผู้นั้นคือผู้ใดกันแน่
Unspecified (context-dependent; likely a questioner addressing a sage as 'mahāmate')
Concept: Ritual worship (arcana) is performed with fitting offerings; inquiry into the identities of worshippers is part of dharmic narration—actions reveal inner status.
Application: Offer the best you can with sincerity; also cultivate discernment—ask ‘who’ and ‘why’ behind actions before judging them.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee carries armfuls of golden-hued, divine flowers toward a simple stone liṅga shrine; the blossoms glow as if lit from within. In the foreground, an inquisitive sage gestures mid-question, while the shrine’s lamp-flame flickers, turning the scene into a blend of ritual and narrative suspense.","primary_figures":["Śiva-liṅga (icon)","flower-bearing devotee (unnamed)","inquiring sage (unnamed)"],"setting":"Riverside liṅga shrine or small temple pavilion with stone steps, brass lamps, and flower baskets; faint Gaṅgā presence suggested by mist.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["burnished gold","deep vermilion","stone gray","leaf green","smoke white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Śiva-liṅga shrine centered under an ornate arch, devotee presenting golden flowers; heavy gold leaf on offerings and lamp halos, rich reds/greens, gem-studded ornaments on ritual vessels, traditional South Indian temple motifs and symmetrical framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: small riverside shrine with delicate lamp glow; devotee with flower bundles, sage questioning at the side; refined facial features, soft earth tones with bright gold accents on flowers, lyrical architecture and gentle landscape.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold-outlined liṅga and ritual paraphernalia; stylized golden flowers in warm pigments, strong reds/yellows/greens, mural border of lotus and vine motifs, expressive gestures emphasizing inquiry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral abundance around a central shrine motif; patterned golden blossoms, decorative borders, small lamps repeated as motifs, deep red and blue ground with gold detailing to emphasize sacred offering."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","lamp crackle","soft chanting","footsteps on stone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हेम + वर्णानि → हेमवर्णानि; सम् + अर्चयेत् → समर्चयेत्; सम् + आ + चक्ष्व → समाचक्ष्व।
FAQs
It highlights reverent worship (samarcayet) of Śiva, specifically after bringing divine, golden-hued offerings—an emphasis on devotional ritual (pūjā) performed with valued items.
The verse functions as a lead-in to a moral or exemplary description: it asks the teacher/sage to identify the type of woman and man being praised or discussed in the surrounding narrative, likely tied to merit gained through Śiva worship.
That sincere, properly performed worship—offered with care and valuable or pure offerings—matters, and that exemplary human qualities (in women and men) are to be defined in relation to devotion and righteous conduct.