Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 173
Pitṛmātṛtīrtha Greatness & the Discourse on Embodiment: Karma, Birth, Impurity, and Dispassion
ब्रह्मापि त्रिदशैः सार्धमुपसंह्रियते पुनः । परार्धद्वयकालांते शिवेन परमात्मना
brahmāpi tridaśaiḥ sārdhamupasaṃhriyate punaḥ | parārdhadvayakālāṃte śivena paramātmanā
แม้พระพรหมพร้อมด้วยเหล่าเทวะ ก็ถูกเก็บคืนสู่การสลายอีกครั้ง เมื่อกาลสองปรารธสิ้นสุดลง—โดยพระศิวะ ผู้เป็นปรมาตมัน
Unspecified (narrative voice within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Even the creator-god and the devas are subject to dissolution at the end of cosmic time; only the Supreme Self is final refuge.
Application: Contemplate the limits of status and lifespan; cultivate surrender (śaraṇāgati) and steady sādhana rather than chasing rank, fame, or ‘godlike’ competence.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At the edge of unimaginable time, Brahmā’s lotus-throne dims as devas bow and dissolve into subtle light-streams. A majestic ascetic cosmic form—Śiva as the withdrawing principle—stands serene amid swirling galaxies, while behind all, an unmanifest stillness suggests the Supreme Self beyond forms.","primary_figures":["Brahmā","Devas (Indra and attendants)","Śiva as saṃhāra-mūrti (withdrawal aspect)"],"setting":"Celestial lotus-seat and dissolving cosmic mandala at the end of two parārdhas","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["pearl white","smoky blue","ruddy vermilion","antique gold","cosmic black"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Brahmā on a fading lotus throne with gold leaf aura, devas in jeweled crowns dissolving into gold-specked mist, Śiva as calm cosmic withdrawer with crescent moon and trident, heavy gold embellishment on ornaments, deep maroon and emerald borders, subtle black background with star-like dots.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined celestial court with delicate faces, Brahmā’s lotus rendered in soft pinks, devas in pale silks, dissolution shown as translucent washes, Śiva in cool blues and ash tones under a silver moon, Himalayan-like cloud bands framing a cosmic sky.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, Brahmā and devas in stylized posture, Śiva central with large expressive eyes, crescent moon highlighted, swirling dissolution patterns as rhythmic curves, strong red/yellow/green pigments against deep blue-black cosmic field.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: cosmic lotus mandala with Brahmā at center fading, surrounding devas as patterned motifs, Śiva as serene central figure in a ring of stars, ornate floral borders, gold highlights, deep indigo ground with white constellation dots."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft damaru pulse","low tanpura drone","distant conch","night insects","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ब्रह्मा+अपि→ब्रह्मापि; सार्धम्+उपसंह्रियते→सार्धमुपसंह्रियते; परार्धद्वयकाल+अन्ते→परार्धद्वयकालान्ते
FAQs
It states that even Brahmā and the devas are subject to periodic dissolution, emphasizing that pralaya is universal and time-bound.
A parārdha is a vast cosmic time-unit; “two parārdhas” commonly signals the full span associated with Brahmā’s lifetime, after which dissolution occurs.
The verse identifies Śiva with the Supreme Self, portraying him as the ultimate ground of dissolution and transcendence beyond even the creator-god Brahmā.