Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 34
The Consecration (Anointing) of Indra
असंख्याता महाभागाः सृष्टेर्भावा ह्यनेकशः । मोह एवं न कर्त्तव्यो ज्ञानवद्भिर्महात्मभिः
asaṃkhyātā mahābhāgāḥ sṛṣṭerbhāvā hyanekaśaḥ | moha evaṃ na karttavyo jñānavadbhirmahātmabhiḥ
اے بزرگ نصیب! سृष्टی کے احوال اور صورتیں بے شمار اور طرح طرح کی ہیں؛ اس لیے حکمت والے مہاتماؤں کو اس طرح کے موہ میں نہیں پڑنا چاہیے۔
Unspecified (context-dependent narrator/sage voice within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa dialogue)
Concept: Creation’s forms are innumerable; therefore the wise should not be deluded—maintain discrimination and steadiness amid changing states and identities.
Application: When overwhelmed by life’s complexity, return to first principles: what is lasting, what is duty, what is devotion; practice daily reflection to reduce reactivity and भ्रम.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A panoramic cosmic collage: countless beings—humans, devas, animals, sages—flow like a river of forms across the canvas, while a calm mahātman stands centered, unmoved, holding a japa-mālā. Above, a subtle Viṣṇu-like sustaining presence is suggested as a vast, tranquil sky, indicating the unchanging ground beneath diversity.","primary_figures":["mahātman (wise sage)","multitudes of created beings (symbolic)","subtle cosmic Viṣṇu presence (suggested)"],"setting":"Cosmic vista blending earth and heavens—mountains, cities, forests, and starry expanse—arranged as a mandala of creation.","lighting_mood":"meditative","color_palette":["midnight blue","smoky violet","antique gold","earth brown","sage green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central sage with gold halo and japa-mālā, surrounding concentric bands of diverse beings and worlds; gold leaf highlights on cosmic borders, rich reds/greens, ornate mandala framing, embossed detailing to convey ‘countless forms’.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: wide yet delicate landscape-mandala with many small vignettes of beings, central calm sage, soft atmospheric perspective, cool mountain hues and starry sky, refined linework emphasizing multiplicity without chaos.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: central mahātman with iconic eyes and bold outlines, surrounding panels of varied beings in rhythmic repetition, traditional pigment palette, decorative borders, temple-wall narrative arrangement.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: creation as a floral-cosmic mandala, central sage figure, borders filled with lotus and creepers, small symbolic creatures and devas in repeating patterns; deep blue ground with gold and white detailing for the ‘countless’ effect."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft wind","distant temple bell","low humming silence","occasional bird call"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सृष्टेः + भावाः → सृष्टेर्भावाः; हि + अनेकशः → ह्यनेकशः; ज्ञानवद्भिः + महात्मभिः → ज्ञानवद्भिर्महात्मभिः
FAQs
It teaches that creation manifests in innumerable forms, so a wise person should not become confused or deluded when confronted with its variety and change.
It supports steadiness of mind: recognizing the vast diversity of worldly states helps cultivate non-confusion (amoha), discernment (viveka), and detachment (vairāgya).
No. The verse is general and philosophical, focusing on the nature of creation and the ethical-cognitive duty of the wise to avoid delusion.