Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 17
Sukalā’s Episode: Padmāvatī’s Crisis, the Speaking Embryo (Kālanemi), and Sudevā’s Begging at Śivaśarmā’s House
ववृधे दारुणो गर्भः सर्वलोकभयंकरः । तामुवाच ततो गर्भः पद्मावतीं च मातरम्
vavṛdhe dāruṇo garbhaḥ sarvalokabhayaṃkaraḥ | tāmuvāca tato garbhaḥ padmāvatīṃ ca mātaram
وہ ہولناک جنین بڑھتا گیا، جو تمام جہانوں کے لیے خوف کا باعث تھا۔ پھر اس جنین نے اپنی ماں پدماوتی سے کلام کیا۔
The embryo (garbhaḥ)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सर्वलोकभयंकरः = सर्व-लोक-भयम्-करः; तामुवाच = ताम् + उवाच।
FAQs
The speaker is the embryo (garbhaḥ), and he speaks to Padmāvatī, identified explicitly as his mother.
It frames the unborn being as an extraordinary and ominous presence, suggesting a future impact that extends beyond a local event to cosmic or world-level consequences.
The verse highlights that inner states and future actions can be foreshadowed early; it sets a cautionary tone about fear-causing power and the need for dharmic restraint when extraordinary potency arises.