Padma Purana — Srishti Khanda, Shloka 140136

Brahmā’s Lotus-Birth, Puṣkara-Creation Imagery, Madhu–Kaiṭabha, and Early Genealogies

Devanagari script

चंद्रार्ककिरणोद्योतं गिरिकूटमिवोच्छ्रितम् । नंदकानंदितकरं कौस्तुभोद्भासितोरसम्

Transliteration

caṃdrārkakiraṇodyotaṃ girikūṭamivocchritam | naṃdakānaṃditakaraṃ kaustubhodbhāsitorasam

Translation

چاند اور سورج کی کرنوں سے منور، پہاڑی چوٹی کی طرح بلند؛ نندک تلوار سے اس کا ہاتھ مسرور، اور کوستبھ منی سے اس کا سینہ جگمگا رہا تھا۔

Word by Word

• चन्द्र-अर्क-किरण-उद्योतम्: illumined by moon-and-sun rays
• चन्द्र-अर्क-किरण-उद्योतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्क (प्रातिपदिक) + किरण (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्योत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (चन्द्रार्कयोः किरणैः उद्योतः)

• गिरि-कूटम्: a mountain peak
• गिरि-कूटम्: Upamana (Standard of comparison/उपमान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गिरि (प्रातिपदिक) + कूट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (गिरेः कूटम्)

• इव: like
• इव: Sambandha (Comparison/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इव (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमा-अव्यय

• उच्छ्रितम्: lofty
• उच्छ्रितम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्-श्रि (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अर्थः—उन्नत/उत्क्षिप्त (lofty/raised)

• नन्दक-आनन्दित-करम्: whose hand was delighted (holding) Nandaka
• नन्दक-आनन्दित-करम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नन्दक (प्रातिपदिक) + आ-नन्द् (धातु) → आनन्दित (कृदन्त) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (नन्दकेन आनन्दितः करः यस्य)

• कौस्तुभ-उद्भासित-उरसम्: whose chest shone with the Kaustubha gem
• कौस्तुभ-उद्भासित-उरसम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कौस्तुभ (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्-भास् (धातु) → उद्भासित (कृदन्त) + उरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (कौस्तुभेन उद्भासितम् उरः यस्य)

Speaker

Not explicitly identifiable from the single verse excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses).

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: The Lord is the true source and reflector of all light (moon and sun) and the steadfast refuge (mountain peak); his weapons and jewels signify protection and grace.

Application: Meditate on Vishnu’s chest (Kaustubha) and protective sword (Nandaka) as symbols: keep the heart luminous (truthfulness, compassion) and let discernment cut confusion.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: celestial_realm

Visual Art Cues

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Vishnu towers like a mountain peak, his aura shimmering with interwoven moonlight and sunlight—cool silver and warm gold braided into a single divine radiance. In one hand he delights in Nandaka, the sword poised not for violence but for cutting ignorance; on his chest the Kaustubha jewel blazes like a star pinned to eternity.","primary_figures":["Hari (Vishnu)"],"setting":"Celestial summit-like space—suggested mountain crest floating in the cosmos, with sun and moon rays converging toward the deity; subtle lotus-cloud backdrop.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance with sun-moon dual glow","color_palette":["sun-gold","moon-silver","deep sapphire","lotus pink","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vishnu standing tall like a cosmic mountain, surrounded by a gold leaf halo; sun and moon motifs on either side casting stylized rays; Nandaka sword rendered with bright metallic highlights; Kaustubha jewel as a large gem-studded focal point on the chest; rich reds and greens in garments and borders, heavy ornamentation and traditional symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a lyrical Himalayan-like peak beneath Vishnu’s feet, with delicate sun and moon rays converging; refined facial features, soft sapphire body tone; Kaustubha jewel painted as a luminous star-gem; Nandaka held gracefully; cool-warm light interplay across the scene.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized sun and moon discs with radiating patterns; Vishnu in deep blue with bright yellow highlights; Kaustubha as a prominent jewel motif; Nandaka sword simplified yet iconic; temple-wall grandeur and rhythmic ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Vishnu figure framed by lotus borders; sun and moon as decorative medallions; rays rendered as repeating floral-geometric patterns; Kaustubha jewel emphasized with gold and bright pigments; deep blues and gold with peacocks subtly placed at the margins for auspiciousness."}

Audio Atmosphere

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","soft mridangam","aerial ‘wind on a peak’ ambience"]}

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: चंद्रार्ककिरणोद्योतम् = चन्द्र-अर्क-किरण-उद्योतम्; गिरिकूटमिवोच्छ्रितम् = गिरि-कूटम् + इव + उच्छ्रितम्; नंदकानंदितकरं = नन्दक-आनन्दित-करम्; कौस्तुभोद्भासितोरसम् = कौस्तुभ-उद्भासित-उरसम्.

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Nandaka
• Kaustubha

FAQs

Who is being described in this verse?

The verse describes Lord Vishnu through classic Vaishnava iconographic markers: the sword Nandaka in his hand and the Kaustubha jewel shining on his chest.

What is the significance of the Kaustubha jewel mentioned here?

Kaustubha is a famed divine jewel traditionally said to rest on Vishnu’s chest, symbolizing supreme auspiciousness and divine splendor; in devotional literature it often functions as a visual marker identifying Vishnu.

How does this verse support a Bhakti-oriented reading of the Padma Purana?

By focusing on vivid, reverential visualization of Vishnu’s form (radiance, weapons, ornaments), the verse functions like a dhyāna-style description that aids devotion through contemplative remembrance.