Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 28
Narrative of King Pṛthu: Chastising and Milking the Earth
नाभिमानं च वै पापं न करोति कदा किल । वैवस्वतस्य संप्राप्ते अंतरे द्विजसत्तम
nābhimānaṃ ca vai pāpaṃ na karoti kadā kila | vaivasvatasya saṃprāpte aṃtare dvijasattama
حقّاً إنه لا يرتكب قطّ إثمَ الكِبر في أيّ وقت، يا أفضلَ ذوي الولادتين؛ وذلك يُقال في الفترة حين أتى فَيْفَسْوَتا (في مَنفَنتَرا فَيْفَسْوَتا).
Uncertain from single-verse context (likely a narrator addressing a brahmin interlocutor).
Concept: A dharmic person avoids the sin of pride (abhimāna) at all times; humility is a protective virtue across the cycles of time.
Application: Practice self-audit: when praised or successful, consciously redirect credit to Bhagavān, teachers, and circumstances; cultivate gratitude and service to counter ego-inflation.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene cosmic tableau of the Vaivasvata Manvantara: a vast lotus-like mandala of time with subtle concentric rings, where a humble sage bows with folded hands, his ego symbolized as a fading shadow. Above, a gentle Viṣṇu-presence is implied through a radiant śaṅkha-cakra aura rather than a literal figure, emphasizing inner humility over spectacle.","primary_figures":["a humble brāhmaṇa-sage","subtle Viṣṇu aura (śaṅkha-cakra radiance)","personified Time (Kāla) as a calm, translucent presence"],"setting":"Celestial mandala of time with lotus motifs, faint starfields, and a quiet hermitage silhouette at the edge of the cosmos.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","soft gold","ash-white","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a central humble sage with añjali-mudrā beneath a large stylized lotus-mandala representing Vaivasvata Manvantara; behind him a circular śaṅkha-cakra halo suggesting Viṣṇu’s guardianship; heavy gold leaf on the mandala rings, rich crimson and emerald accents on garments, gem-studded ornaments minimal to emphasize humility, ornate temple-arch framing with traditional South Indian iconography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a contemplative sage seated near a small hermitage, with the sky painted as layered concentric time-rings like a lotus; delicate brushwork, cool blues and mauves, refined facial features, subtle glow around a śaṅkha-cakra emblem in the heavens, lyrical naturalism with quiet birds perched on a branch.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; the sage in añjali, large lotus-mandala behind him with stylized time-deities; characteristic wide eyes, red-yellow-green palette with a restrained gold-ochre radiance; temple-wall aesthetic emphasizing dharma and inner restraint.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional composition where the lotus-mandala becomes a floral border; central humble devotee before an abstract Viṣṇu presence indicated by śaṅkha-cakra motifs; intricate lotus vines, deep blue ground with gold highlights, symmetrical border patterns, peacocks subdued to keep the mood शांत."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","silence","low tanpura drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नाभिमानं = na abhimānam; संप्राप्ते अंतरे = saṃprāpte antare (IAST aṃtare); द्विजसत्तम = dvija-sattama (समास), सम्बोधन-एकवचन.
FAQs
It highlights humility: the verse treats abhimāna (pride/conceit) as a pāpa (sin) and praises the state of not committing pride.
Vaivasvata refers to Vaivasvata Manu, the Manu of the present age-cycle; the phrase points to the time-period known as the Vaivasvata Manvantara.
Dvijasattama means “best of the twice-born,” a respectful address to a learned brahmin (or qualified dvija), typical of Purāṇic dialogue style.