Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 38
Narrative of Sumanā: The Quest for a Worthy Son and the Karmic Roots of Poverty
देवानां पूजनं विप्र भवता न कृतं कदा । प्राप्य पर्वाणि विप्रेभ्यो द्रव्यं न च समर्पितम्
devānāṃ pūjanaṃ vipra bhavatā na kṛtaṃ kadā | prāpya parvāṇi viprebhyo dravyaṃ na ca samarpitam
يا براهمن، لم تقم قطّ بعبادة الدِّيفات (الآلهة)؛ وحين كانت تحلّ الأعيادُ وأيامُ الشعائر، لم تُقدِّم للبراهمة هبةً ولا مالًا.
Unspecified (context-dependent; a reproaching speaker addressing a brāhmaṇa)
Concept: Neglect of deva-pūjā and parva-dāna severs the householder from sacred time; auspicious days are meant for worship, giving, and remembrance of Viṣṇu.
Application: Keep a simple daily worship routine; on parva days (ekādaśī, pūrṇimā, saṅkrānti), give food/cloth/money according to means; support temple and scriptural learning.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A small household shrine sits dusty and unlit, while outside the calendar-marked parva day is alive with conch sounds from a nearby temple. The brāhmaṇa stands indifferent, hands empty, as brāhmaṇas and devotees pass by expecting customary gifts and worship offerings.","primary_figures":["a negligent brāhmaṇa householder","brāhmaṇas seeking parva-dāna","temple devotees in the background"],"setting":"village lane with a visible temple entrance; inside corner shows an unlit home altar","lighting_mood":"morning brightness outside contrasted with dim, neglected interior","color_palette":["sunlit white","vermillion red","temple brass gold","ash gray","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: split-scene composition—bright temple procession with conch and lamps on one side, dusty unlit home shrine on the other; the brāhmaṇa empty-handed; gold leaf on temple lamps and ornaments; rich reds/greens, ornate borders emphasizing sacred time ignored.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: village temple in the distance with delicate figures; foreground shows the brāhmaṇa at his doorway, brāhmaṇas passing by; soft morning palette, refined expressions of disappointment and admonition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized temple doorway with lamp flames; the home altar rendered with muted tones; bold outlines and symbolic contrast between lit and unlit spaces; traditional pigment palette.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: parva-day procession framed by lotus borders; subtle Viṣṇu symbols (śaṅkha-cakra) above; the empty-handed figure contrasted with offerings; deep blues and gold, intricate floral motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell from temple","temple bells","footsteps of procession","quiet in the unlit shrine corner"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No major external sandhi; verse already mostly padaccheda-ready.
FAQs
It criticizes neglect of deva-pūjā (worship of the gods) and failure to give dāna (gifts/wealth) to brāhmaṇas on parva (holy/festival) days.
Religious life is presented as involving both devotion (pūjā) and social-religious responsibility (dāna), especially on sacred occasions; neglect of both is treated as blameworthy.
The verse reflects a common Purāṇic emphasis that dharma includes ritual reverence toward the divine and generosity/support toward custodians of Vedic learning, especially at calendrical sacred times (parva).