Padma Purana — Srishti Khanda, Shloka 171
Merit of Causeways and Crossings, Temple Construction Rewards, and the Rudrākṣa Mahātmya
विषोल्बणश्च कारीषः शंखचूडश्च सप्तमः । एते नागा महावीर्याः सप्तवक्त्रे व्यवस्थिताः
viṣolbaṇaśca kārīṣaḥ śaṃkhacūḍaśca saptamaḥ | ete nāgā mahāvīryāḥ saptavaktre vyavasthitāḥ
Si Viṣolbaṇa at Kārīṣa, at bilang ikapito si Śaṅkhacūḍa—ang mga nāgang ito, na may dakilang tapang at lakas, ay nakahimpil sa Saptavaktra.
Unspecified (narrative listing within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma discourse context, but not explicit in this single verse)
Concept: Names and placements of cosmic beings convey a structured universe where power is distributed for protection and balance.
Application: Respect systems and roles; channel strength into guardianship rather than disruption; cultivate ‘mahā-vīrya’ as protective courage.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Seven nāga heroes appear as distinct crowned serpent-lords arranged around the central seven-hooded Saptavaktra, each emanating a different aura—poisonous brilliance for Viṣolbaṇa, earthy strength for Kārīṣa, and conch-like regality for Śaṅkhacūḍa. The scene feels like a cosmic guard-post, a living fortress of coiled power and disciplined placement.","primary_figures":["Saptavaktra Nāga","Viṣolbaṇa","Kārīṣa","Śaṅkhacūḍa","Ananta (as named guardian)","other stationed nāgas (as implied)"],"setting":"subterranean nāga court with pearl lamps, jewel-studded floor patterns like mandalas, and a throne dais shaped like a lotus emerging from stone","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["deep teal","amethyst purple","pearl silver","blood red","gold leaf"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: seven nāga-lords in a symmetrical protective formation around Saptavaktra; heavy gold leaf on crowns, hood rims, and jewelry; jewel inlays suggested by painted cabochons; rich reds/greens with pearl-silver highlights; ornate border of lotus and conch motifs emphasizing Śaṅkhacūḍa’s name.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant arrangement of seven serpent-lords with individualized colors and delicate scale patterns; cool teal and amethyst palette; refined faces and lyrical cave landscape; soft radiance around each nāga; balanced composition like a court portrait.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized coils and hoods; strong red/yellow/green blocks with teal background; each nāga identified by distinct crown silhouette; decorative temple-mural border; intense eyes and iconic symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: nāga-guardians rendered as a devotional mandala with lotus petals; deep blue-teal ground, gold highlights; conch motifs repeated for Śaṅkhacūḍa; intricate floral borders, pearl-dot patterns, and rhythmic repetition like textile ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","deep drone","subtle thunder-like rumble"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: viṣolbaṇaḥ+ca→viṣolbaṇaś ca; śaṃkhacūḍaḥ+ca→śaṃkhacūḍaś ca.
FAQs
They are named nāgas (serpent-lords) described as mahāvīrya—mighty or valorous—presented here as part of a list of prominent nāgas.
Saptavaktra literally means “seven-mouthed.” In this verse it functions as a proper noun—an entity or locus where these nāgas are said to be stationed.
The verse primarily serves a cataloging/cosmographic function: it records specific nāga names and their placement, contributing to the Purāṇic map of beings and their stations.