Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 52
Dialogue of Gobhila and Padmāvatī: Daitya Obstruction vs. the Power of Pativratā Dharma
एकेन हुंकृतेनैव भस्मीभूतं करोम्यहम् । गोभिल उवाच । चक्षुर्हीना न पश्यंति मानवाः शृणु सांप्रतम्
ekena huṃkṛtenaiva bhasmībhūtaṃ karomyaham | gobhila uvāca | cakṣurhīnā na paśyaṃti mānavāḥ śṛṇu sāṃpratam
“เพียงเปล่งเสียง ‘หุṃ’ ครั้งเดียว ข้าพเจ้าก็ทำให้ (สิ่งนั้น) กลายเป็นเถ้าได้” โคภิละกล่าวว่า “มนุษย์ผู้ไร้ทิพยเนตรย่อมไม่เห็นความจริง บัดนี้จงฟังถ้อยคำของเรา”
Gobhila (second half of the verse); first sentence speaker not explicitly identified in the provided excerpt
Concept: Without inner vision (dharma-jñāna), people fail to perceive reality; mere displays of power (huṃ-kāra) can mislead or intimidate.
Application: Do not be overawed by threats, charisma, or claims of supernatural ability; cultivate discernment through ethical living, study, and devotion.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage-like figure (Gobhila) raises a hand as if to utter a single ‘huṃ’, the air vibrating with visible ripples, while onlookers recoil—some dazzled, some fearful. Immediately he pivots into instruction, pointing toward the inner eye, as a faint luminous ‘third-eye’ motif appears above the heart region, contrasting brute power with true vision.","primary_figures":["Gobhila (sage/speaker)","unnamed challenger or target","bewildered onlookers"],"setting":"Open courtyard near a hermitage or town edge; a small fire altar and palm-leaf manuscripts nearby to signal teaching","lighting_mood":"divine radiance cutting through gathering dusk","color_palette":["smoky violet","ash gray","sandalwood beige","electric white glow","deep maroon"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Gobhila in central pose, right hand lifted in mantra-gesture, stylized sound-wave halo around him; gold leaf radiance, rich crimson and emerald garments, gem-like highlights on ornaments; background with small yajña-kuṇḍa, manuscripts, and ornate arch framing the didactic moment.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined sage with gentle yet firm expression; delicate depiction of mantra vibration as thin white lines; small group of listeners with varied reactions; cool twilight wash over a simple āśrama courtyard, detailed foliage and distant hills.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, exaggerated expressive eyes; Gobhila’s gesture emphasized; mantra ‘huṃ’ suggested via stylized glyph-like motif; warm red/yellow/green palette with black contouring, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central teacher figure framed by lotus borders; decorative script-like motifs suggesting sacred sound; peacocks and floral vines in margins; deep indigo ground with gold accents, didactic scene rendered with devotional ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["single emphatic mantra syllable","conch shell accent","crackling fire","crowd murmur fading into silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: karomyaham = karomi + aham; cakṣurhīnā = cakṣuḥ + hīnāḥ (visarga sandhi); huṃkṛtenaiva = huṃkṛtena + eva.
FAQs
It signals the claimed potency of a forceful mantric exclamation (huṃkāra), often associated with spiritual power to subdue or destroy obstacles—here expressed as the ability to burn something to ashes instantly.
Beyond literal blindness, it points to lack of discernment (inner sight): people without spiritual insight fail to recognize truth, consequences, or the deeper nature of events.
Power without insight can mislead; the verse contrasts displays of force with the need for true perception and wise listening—urging discernment over mere intimidation or supernatural claims.