Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 98
The Birth of King Pṛthu: Vena’s Fall, the Sages’ Churning, and Earth’s Surrender
न पश्यति महाप्राज्ञः कुरूपं द्विजसत्तमाः । आचचक्षुर्महाप्राज्ञं कुंजरं रूपमास्थिता
na paśyati mahāprājñaḥ kurūpaṃ dvijasattamāḥ | ācacakṣurmahāprājñaṃ kuṃjaraṃ rūpamāsthitā
إن الحكماء حقًّا لا يرون القُبح، يا خيرَ ذوي الولادتين. لقد أدركوا ذلك الناسكَ العظيمَ في هيئةِ فيلٍ، إذ كان قد اتخذ تلك الصورة.
Unclear from single-verse context (likely narrator addressing a Brahmin interlocutor: 'dvija-sattama')
Concept: The wise are not trapped by appearances (kūrūpa/rūpa); discernment sees essence beyond form and disguise.
Application: Practice non-judgment: pause before labeling people/situations by surface traits; seek the underlying intention, fear, or divinity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A contemplative tableau: sages with calm faces observe an elephant-form figure, their eyes luminous with discernment rather than fear. The scene contrasts outer wildness with inner serenity—wisdom perceiving truth beneath disguise.","primary_figures":["sages (mahāprājña)","elephant-form figure (disguised being)"],"setting":"forest clearing with a quiet hermitage edge—kusha grass, water pot, and a small fire altar nearby","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["soft gold","sage green","smoky blue","lotus pink","warm brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: serene sages with gold leaf halos seated in a forest clearing, gazing with compassion at an elephant-form figure; intricate gold embellishment on garments and altar vessels, rich reds/greens, devotional symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined sages in pale robes, gentle dawn light, elephant-form figure at the edge of the clearing; delicate foliage, cool shadows, and subtle facial expressions conveying non-judgment.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: sages with large expressive eyes and composed mudrās, elephant-form figure stylized; bold outlines, natural pigments, dawn-yellow background with green borders and temple-wall ornamentation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: sages arranged in a balanced semicircle around a lotus-like clearing, elephant-form figure framed by floral borders; deep blue ground with gold and pink lotuses, intricate vine motifs suggesting ‘inner vision’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["gentle silence","morning birds","soft bell","breeze through leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आचचक्षुर्महाप्राज्ञम् → आचचक्षुः + महाप्राज्ञम् (विसर्गलोपः); रूपमास्थिताः → रूपम् + आस्थिताः.
FAQs
It highlights that genuine wisdom transcends superficial judgments like ugliness, emphasizing a deeper mode of perception.
The verse indicates a transformation or perceived manifestation—someone ‘greatly wise’ is beheld as an elephant, suggesting a narrative episode involving altered form or divine/ascetic power.
Do not reduce beings to outward appearance; cultivate discernment that recognizes inner worth, virtue, or spiritual stature.