Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 29
Dialogue of Gobhila and Padmāvatī: Daitya Obstruction vs. the Power of Pativratā Dharma
अग्निं च पितरं चैव न त्यजेत्स्वामिनं शुभे । सदा विप्रः सुतो भृत्यः सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम्
agniṃ ca pitaraṃ caiva na tyajetsvāminaṃ śubhe | sadā vipraḥ suto bhṛtyaḥ satyaṃ satyaṃ vadāmyaham
يا ذاتَ اليُمن، لا يَنبغي أن يُهجَرَ أبدًا النارُ المقدَّسةُ ولا الأبُ ولا السيِّدُ. فالبراهمنُ والابنُ والخادمُ عليهم أن يثبتوا دائمًا؛ هذا حقٌّ، حقٌّ أقولُه لكِ.
Unspecified (narratorial instruction within a dialogue; exact speaker not identifiable from the single verse alone)
Concept: Never abandon the three pillars of obligation—agni, father, and master; steadfastness defines the integrity of brahmin/son/servant roles.
Application: Maintain gratitude and duty: care for parents/elders, honor mentors/employers ethically, keep daily spiritual disciplines consistent.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solemn vow scene: a teacher-like figure raises a hand in affirmation while pointing toward a bright sacred fire; behind him stand an aged father and a dignified master, forming a triad of dharma. The listener—an ‘auspicious one’—sits respectfully, the air charged with truth repeated twice.","primary_figures":["Didactic sage/teacher figure","Agni (sacred fire)","Father (pitṛ)","Master (svāmin)","Respectful listener (auspicious woman or disciple)"],"setting":"Household ritual hall with fire altar, seats of honor for elders, and simple ritual implements.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["warm gold","ivory white","vermillion","emerald green","lapis blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central teacher with raised blessing hand, luminous Agni-kunda with gold-leaf flames, father and master seated on either side like dharma-pillars; ornate arch, gem-studded ornaments, rich reds/greens, embossed halos, traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate indoor courtyard; delicate gestures and expressive eyes; the triad (fire, father, master) arranged harmoniously; soft blues and greens, fine textile patterns, gentle radiance around the fire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; stylized figures with large eyes; central flame motif; father and master flanking; strong red-yellow-green palette, temple-wall didactic composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic triad—central lotus-flame medallion, two flanking honor-seats with garlands; intricate floral border; deep blue ground with gold and vermillion highlights, devotional symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["steady bell","fire crackle","soft mridang pulse","conch accent at 'satyam'","brief resonant silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव; त्यजेत्स्वामिनम् = त्यजेत् + स्वामिनम्; वदाम्यहम् = वदामि + अहम्.
FAQs
It teaches steadfastness to fundamental obligations—maintaining the sacred fire (religious duty), honoring one’s father (familial duty), and remaining loyal to one’s master (social/contractual duty).
They represent three pillars of dharma: ritual responsibility (Agni), lineage and gratitude (father), and fidelity to entrusted service or authority (master).
It underscores role-based duty (svadharma): the brāhmaṇa is to uphold disciplined conduct, the son to honor familial responsibility, and the servant to maintain faithful service—each urged toward constancy.