Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 17
Yayāti’s Summons to Heaven and the Teaching on Old Age, the Five-Element Body, and Self–Body Discernment
सहस्राक्षस्ततोपश्यद्धुताशनसमप्रभम् । देवो विप्रं समायांतं सर्वज्ञं ज्ञानपंडितम्
sahasrākṣastatopaśyaddhutāśanasamaprabham | devo vipraṃ samāyāṃtaṃ sarvajñaṃ jñānapaṃḍitam
Bấy giờ Sahasrākṣa (Indra) thấy một vị brāhmaṇa đang tiến đến, rực sáng như lửa hồng—bậc toàn tri, học giả uyên thâm về thánh trí.
Narrator (contextual; not explicitly marked in the single verse)
Concept: Spiritual knowledge manifests as tejas: the knower (sarvajña, jñāna-paṇḍita) is perceived as ‘fire-like’ radiance, compelling respect from even the king of gods.
Application: Value inner clarity and learning; cultivate humility before wisdom, regardless of social position.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In Indra’s jeweled hall, Sahasrākṣa turns as a radiant brāhmaṇa-sage approaches—Nārada glowing like a living flame, veena slung across his shoulder. Courtiers and apsarās pause mid-motion, their ornaments catching the fire-like light, as Indra’s expression shifts from royal ease to reverent attention.","primary_figures":["Indra (Sahasrākṣa/Purandara)","Nārada","apsarās","gandharvas","deva-courtiers"],"setting":"Indra’s celestial sabhā with jeweled pillars, lotus pools, and cloud-like floors; throne dais with vajra emblem","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["molten gold","ruby red","sapphire blue","smoky white","emerald"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Indra on a jeweled throne with vajra, turning toward Nārada who shines like fire; gold-leaf radiance around Nārada, gem-studded ornaments, rich reds and greens, ornate archways and symmetrical court attendants.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate depiction of Indra’s court with refined faces; Nārada’s glow rendered as soft aureole; cool blues and jewel tones, intricate textile patterns, airy palace architecture with cloud terraces.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; Indra and Nārada in iconic poses; Nārada’s tejas as stylized flame halo; patterned pillars and lotus borders, strong red/yellow/green palette with rhythmic court arrangement.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Nārada with flame-like aureole, surrounded by lotus motifs and ornate borders; deep indigo background with gold highlights; celestial musicians and peacocks integrated into the border, emphasizing devotional music (veena) as the heart of the scene."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["sudden hush","celestial chimes","veena resonance","conch shell (soft)","echoing palace ambience"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सहस्राक्षः+ततः→सहस्राक्षस्ततः; ततः+अपश्यत्→ततोपश्यत्; अपश्यत्+हुताशनसमप्रभम्→अपश्यद्धुताशनसमप्रभम् (द्+ह→द्ध).
FAQs
“Sahasrākṣa” is an epithet of Indra, the king of the devas, literally “the thousand-eyed one.”
It describes the approaching brāhmaṇa as shining with a brilliance comparable to fire, suggesting spiritual radiance and awe-inspiring presence.
The verse highlights reverence for true knowledge: an all-knowing, learned brāhmaṇa is portrayed as inherently luminous, implying that wisdom and spiritual attainment command recognition even from gods.