Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 27
The Account of Sukalā in the Vena Episode: The Sow, the Sons, and Royal Restraint
अस्या वधनिमित्तार्थे पापाद्बिभेमि सुंदरि । एवमुक्त्वा तदा राजा विरराम महीपतिः
asyā vadhanimittārthe pāpādbibhemi suṃdari | evamuktvā tadā rājā virarāma mahīpatiḥ
“يا أيتها الجميلة، إني أخشى الإثم في الإقدام على قتلها كذريعة.” وبعد أن قال هذا، صمت الملك، سيد الأرض.
The king (rājā/mahīpatiḥ)
Concept: Even when a ‘pretext’ exists, intentional killing accrues pāpa; moral fear (pāpa-bhaya) is a safeguard for rulers.
Application: Do not rationalize harm as ‘necessary’; treat moral unease as a signal to stop and reassess; choose nonlethal solutions.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The king, having spoken, lowers his gaze and falls into a heavy silence; the court’s tension hangs like a held breath. The queen watches him closely, sensing the shift from anger to conscience as the decision not to kill settles into stillness.","primary_figures":["rājā (mahīpatiḥ)","sundarī (queen/beloved)","silent courtiers"],"setting":"royal audience hall with a stepped dais, fly-whisks, and a faintly visible weapon rack now unused","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["bronze","dusky rose","charcoal gray","pearl white","sap green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: king in jeweled crown pauses mid-court, eyes lowered in dharmic silence; gold leaf highlights on ornaments and throne, rich maroons and greens, attendants frozen in respectful stillness, ornate arch framing the scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: quiet psychological moment—king seated, hand resting on knee, expression softened; queen slightly turned toward him; delicate textiles, muted palette, minimal background to emphasize silence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized royal couple, king’s posture conveying restraint; bold outlines, warm red-yellow tones, decorative lotus bands, large contemplative eyes, ceremonial ambience.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: court tableau bordered with lotus creepers; deep blue ground with gold motifs; figures arranged symmetrically, emphasizing the king’s stillness as a moral center."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["long tanpura sustain","soft ankle-bell jingle fading","courtroom hush","distant conch (very faint)","silence after the final word"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वधनिमित्तार्थे = वध + निमित्त + अर्थे (समास); पापाद्बिभेमि = पापात् + बिभेमि; एवमुक्त्वा = एवम् + उक्त्वा (सन्धिः); महीपतिः = मही + पतिः (समास).
FAQs
It emphasizes moral restraint: even when a killing could be justified by a stated “cause,” the king fears accruing pāpa (sin) and withdraws.
It presents an ideal of kingship where power is checked by conscience—royal decisions must avoid unjust violence and the karmic burden of wrongdoing.
“Sundari” indicates the king is speaking to a woman in the narrative context, but this single verse alone does not name her.