Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 5
Episode of King Vena: Deceptive Doctrine, Compassion, and the Contest over Dharma
पुरुषः कश्चिदायातश्छद्म लिंगधरस्तदा । नग्नरूपोवमहाकायःवशिरोमुंडो महाप्रभः
puruṣaḥ kaścidāyātaśchadma liṃgadharastadā | nagnarūpovamahākāyaḥvaśiromuṃḍo mahāprabhaḥ
پھر ایک شخص آیا جو جھوٹے سنیاسی کے نشان دھارے ہوئے تھا؛ ننگے روپ میں، نہایت عظیم الجثہ، منڈا ہوا سر، اور بڑے جلال والا۔
Narrator (contextual voice within the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa dialogue; specific speaker not identifiable from the single verse alone)
Concept: External marks of renunciation can be counterfeit; dharma requires discernment beyond appearances.
Application: Evaluate spiritual authority by character, compassion, and consistency with śāstra; avoid being swayed by spectacle or charisma.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A towering naked ascetic figure strides into view, his head shaven, body massive, and an unsettling splendor radiating from him—yet his insignia feels wrong, like a mask worn over emptiness. Onlookers recoil: some are dazzled, others sense danger, as the air thickens with the omen of counterfeit holiness.","primary_figures":["The disguised ascetic (chadma-liṅgadhara)","Brāhmaṇas / townspeople / court attendants (as witnesses)"],"setting":"Threshold of a royal court or city gate—pillars, banners, and a wide stone path—where public religion meets political power.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["cold silver","charcoal black","bone white","dull saffron","blood red"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic entrance of a huge shaven-headed naked ascetic with a false emblem, gold leaf used paradoxically to highlight his ‘splendor’ while faces of onlookers show fear and doubt, rich crimson architectural backdrop, ornate pillars, heavy borders, high-contrast sacred-drama composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: slender architectural lines of a palace gate, the imposing figure rendered with careful shading, cool nocturnal palette, expressive refined faces of witnesses showing mixed awe and alarm, subtle moon glow and long shadows.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and stylized musculature, intense eyes, strong red-yellow-green palette tempered with dark blue night field, palace pillars patterned, the figure’s aura shown as rhythmic flame-like motifs despite the ominous mood.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central ominous figure framed by ornate lotus borders, deep indigo background with silver-white moon motifs, decorative architectural elements, peacocks at corners with alert posture, gold highlights used sparingly to suggest deceptive radiance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["sudden hush","footsteps on stone","distant conch","wind gust through banners"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कश्चिदायातः = कश्चित् आयातः; आयातश्छद्म = आयातः छद्म; लिंगधरस्तदा = लिङ्गधरः तदा; नग्नरूपोवमहाकायःवशिरोमुंडो = नग्नरूपः उव/इव महाकायः च शिरोमुण्डः (पाठसंशयः: ‘उव’ सम्भवतः ‘इव’; ‘व’ इत्यादि संधि/लिपिदोष)
FAQs
It means “one who bears an ascetic’s emblem as a disguise,” implying outward religious marks are being used deceptively rather than as signs of genuine renunciation.
These are striking external markers associated with certain renunciant types; the verse highlights how powerful appearances—even seemingly holy ones—can be misleading when paired with “chadma” (deception).
The verse points toward discernment: judging by conduct and truthfulness rather than by external religious symbols, impressive physique, or charismatic “splendor.”