Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 17
Description of the Demons’ Austerities
Why the Gods Won
सत्यधर्मविहीनास्ते तथायांति यमक्षयम् । साधारणः प्राणिनां च धर्म एष सुपुत्रकाः
satyadharmavihīnāste tathāyāṃti yamakṣayam | sādhāraṇaḥ prāṇināṃ ca dharma eṣa suputrakāḥ
الذين يخلون من الصدق ومن الدharma يمضون على ذلك إلى مملكة يَما. فهذا هو الواجب العام لجميع الكائنات الحيّة، يا بَنيّ الصالحين.
Unspecified (contextual narrator/teacher addressing 'suputrakāḥ')
Concept: Truth (satya) and righteousness (dharma) are universal obligations; their absence leads to Yama’s domain—moral causality is inescapable.
Application: Practice truthfulness in speech and dealings; align livelihood and relationships with fairness; treat dharma as non-negotiable, not situational.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast, austere hall of judgment opens in the shadowed realm of Yama: iron-black pillars, a luminous ledger of deeds, and a central throne where Dharma’s stern gaze weighs truth against falsehood. Souls approach in procession, some radiant with merit, others bowed by the heaviness of their own untruth.","primary_figures":["Yama","Chitragupta","Yamadūtas","Departed souls (jīvas)"],"setting":"Yama’s court with cosmic scales, scrolls of karma, a distant river-like boundary of the afterworld","lighting_mood":"somber, ember-lit with cold highlights—judicial and unyielding","color_palette":["obsidian black","smoky crimson","ashen gray","dull gold","pale cyan glow"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Yama enthroned with gold leaf aura and ornate crown, Chitragupta holding palm-leaf records, symmetrical court composition with gem-studded ornaments; deep maroons and greens, gold embellishment on the karmic scales and halo, stylized yamadūtas flanking the throne.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined architectural court with delicate linework; Yama in dark blue/black complexion, subtle expressions on approaching souls, cool shadows and controlled reds, intricate detailing of scrolls and scales, atmospheric depth suggesting the otherworld.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, flat pigments; Yama with large eyes and commanding posture, Chitragupta beside him, patterned pillars and flame motifs, dominant reds/yellows/greens with dark indigo background, ritualistic symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical ‘court of karma’ framed by ornate floral borders and lotus medallions; deep blue ground with gold motifs, stylized figures and decorative script-like patterns suggesting karmic records, peacock-feather-like flourishes transformed into flame motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low temple drum","metallic gong","distant conch","echoing hall reverb","measured silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सत्यधर्मविहीनाः + ते → सत्यधर्मविहीनास्ते; तथा + आयान्ति → तथायान्ति (आ + यान्ति); यमक्षयम् = यम + क्षयम् (समास); धर्म + एषः → धर्म एष (विसर्ग-सन्धि न लिखित)
FAQs
It states that people lacking truth and righteousness go to Yama’s abode, implying a karmic consequence after death.
It means a universal or common duty—basic ethical righteousness expected of all beings, not limited to a specific caste, stage of life, or ritual role.
The verse teaches that truthfulness and adherence to dharma are foundational moral obligations, and their absence leads to negative post-mortem consequences.