Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 58
The Vena Episode and the Sukalā Narrative: The Speaking Sow, Pulastya’s Curse, and Indra’s Appeal
शृणु वाक्यं सहस्राक्ष तव कार्यं कृतं मया । तप एव हि कुर्वन्सन्दारुणं मुनिपुंगवः
śṛṇu vākyaṃ sahasrākṣa tava kāryaṃ kṛtaṃ mayā | tapa eva hi kurvansandāruṇaṃ munipuṃgavaḥ
اے سہسرآکش (ہزار آنکھوں والے)! میری بات سنو؛ تمہارا کام میں نے پورا کر دیا ہے۔ وہ برگزیدہ مُنی یقیناً نہایت سخت اور کٹھن تپسیا میں مشغول ہے۔
Uncertain (context not provided); addressing Indra (Sahasrākṣa)
Concept: Actions done to fulfill another’s agenda can collide with the independent potency of tapas; results may exceed intention.
Application: Before undertaking a ‘task’ for power or prestige, consider ethical fallout and the strength of those you oppose.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A messenger-figure stands before Indra, speaking with forced confidence while the air subtly quivers with the unseen heat of a sage’s austerities. Behind Indra, banners flutter as if disturbed by an invisible wind born from tapas, hinting that the ‘task’ has awakened something dangerous.","primary_figures":["Indra (Sahasrākṣa)","the speaker/messenger","celestial attendants"],"setting":"Jeweled audience hall opening onto cloud balconies; distant horizon shows a faint mirage-like shimmer symbolizing tapas.","lighting_mood":"bright courtly light with ominous shimmer","color_palette":["electric blue","burnished gold","ivory","vermillion","smoky violet"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Indra with many-eyed motif suggested through ornamented iconography, seated on a gold throne, messenger gesturing in speech, gold leaf background with embossed pillars, rich vermillion drapery, gem-studded crowns, subtle aura-waves indicating severe tapas.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate court scene with delicate gestures, Indra listening, messenger speaking earnestly, cool blues and violets, fine architectural detailing, a distant shimmering heat-haze beyond the balcony representing the sage’s austerity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal Indra with bold outlines and stylized ornaments, messenger in profile delivering words, flat luminous colors, decorative cloud motifs, rhythmic border patterns, aura-lines to show tapas intensity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical composition with Indra centered, ornate floral borders, lotus motifs, deep blue ground with gold highlights, attendants arranged like a devotional tableau, subtle patterned waves to signify tapas."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells (soft)","wind through banners","distant thunder","murmur of a celestial court"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुर्वन्सन्दारुणम् = कुर्वन् + सन्दारुणम्.
FAQs
“Sahasrākṣa” (“thousand-eyed”) is a common epithet of Indra, the king of the devas.
The speaker reports to Indra that his assigned mission is completed and notes that a great sage is engaged in extremely severe austerities.
The verse underscores the Purāṇic theme that sustained, disciplined austerity (tapas) is a powerful means to achieve difficult aims and spiritual merit.