Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 23
The Tale of Kāmodā and Vihuṇḍa: Tear-Born Lotuses on the Gaṅgā and the Ethics of Worship
कृत्वा मायामयं रूपं ब्राह्मणस्य महात्मनः । पूजयेच्छंकरं नाथं सुपुष्पैः पारिजातजैः
kṛtvā māyāmayaṃ rūpaṃ brāhmaṇasya mahātmanaḥ | pūjayecchaṃkaraṃ nāthaṃ supuṣpaiḥ pārijātajaiḥ
مایا کے ذریعے ایک عظیم النفس برہمن کی صورت اختیار کر کے، وہ ناتھ شَنکر، محافظِ عالم، کی پاریجات کے عمدہ پھولوں سے پوجا کرے۔
Narratorial/instructional voice (speaker not explicit in the single verse excerpt)
Concept: Ritual form without purity of intent can be weaponized; true pūjā is safeguarded by bhāva (inner devotion), not merely by external correctness.
Application: In daily worship, prioritize honesty and humility; do not use religious appearance to gain trust or manipulate others.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A figure cloaked in māyā takes the serene form of a venerable brāhmaṇa, entering a Śaṅkara temple with measured steps. He offers fresh pārijāta blossoms at the liṅga, the flowers glowing with celestial dew, while a faint shadow of duplicity lingers behind the calm ritual gestures.","primary_figures":["Disguised asura (as brāhmaṇa)","Lord Śaṅkara (liṅga or anthropomorphic presence)","Temple attendants (optional, wary)"],"setting":"Stone temple sanctum with a liṅga, brass lamps, incense smoke curling upward; pārijāta flowers arranged in a golden plate; carved pillars with faint mythic reliefs.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lamp-flame amber","stone gray","pārijāta white","vermillion red","deep forest green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Śaṅkara shrine with ornate arch and gold leaf, liṅga richly decorated; the ‘brāhmaṇa’ devotee in front with folded hands holding pārijāta blossoms; heavy jewelry and textile patterns, glowing lamps, gold highlights on flower plate and halo motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate temple interior with delicate brushwork; the disguised brāhmaṇa offering small white pārijāta flowers; soft smoke lines, refined faces of attendants, cool grays and greens with warm lamp accents; lyrical quiet tension.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized liṅga and lamp flames; the brāhmaṇa-form figure with expressive eyes and simplified drapery; red/yellow/green palette, floral borders featuring pārijāta clusters.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: shrine scene framed by dense floral borders; pārijāta blossoms repeated as motif; deep blue background with gold highlights; central liṅga with garlands, devotee figure in reverent pose, peacocks at corners for ornamental symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","incense crackle","soft conch at a distance","murmured mantras"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूजयेच्छंकरं = पूजयेत् + शंकरम्
FAQs
It indicates adopting a divinely fashioned or strategically assumed appearance to carry out worship or a religious act, emphasizing the purposeful use of māyā (power/illusion) rather than mere deception for harm.
Pārijāta is a famed celestial tree associated with rare, highly auspicious blossoms; offering such flowers highlights the excellence (su-puṣpa) and devotional value of the pūjā to Śiva.
The verse stresses reverent worship (pūjā) with high-quality offerings and a focused intention toward the chosen deity—here, Lord Śaṅkara as nātha (protector and lord).