Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 20

Sudevā’s Ascent to Heaven

Merit, Hospitality, and Release from Hell

Devanagari script

नानापीडातिसंतप्ता नरकाग्निप्रतापिता । तैलद्रोण्यां परिक्षिप्ता करम्भवालुकोपरि

Transliteration

nānāpīḍātisaṃtaptā narakāgnipratāpitā | tailadroṇyāṃ parikṣiptā karambhavālukopari

Translation

مُحترقين بأنواع العذاب، ومُلسوعين بوهج نار الجحيم، يُطرَحون في حوضٍ من الزيت، فوق فراشٍ من عصيدةٍ ورملٍ حارّ.

Word by Word

• नाना-पीडा-अति-संतप्ता: greatly tormented by various pains
• नाना-पीडा-अति-संतप्ता: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नाना (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + पीडा (प्रातिपदिक) + अति (अव्यय) + संतप्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, सम्+तप् + क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (nominative/1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (means/cause sense): “नानापीडाभिः अति संतप्ता” = greatly tormented by various pains

• नरक-अग्नि-प्रतापिता: scorched by the fire of hell
• नरक-अग्नि-प्रतापिता: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नरक (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रतापित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, प्रति+तप् + णिच्? + क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: “नरकाग्निना प्रतापिता” = scorched by hell-fire

• तैल-द्रोण्याम्: in an oil-vat
• तैल-द्रोण्याम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तैल (प्रातिपदिक) + द्रोणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति (locative/7th), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: “तैलस्य द्रोणी” = trough/vat of oil

• परिक्षिप्ता: thrown (into/around)
• परिक्षिप्ता: Kriyā (क्रिया) / Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षिप् (धातु) उपसर्ग: परि- + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle/क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि: “thrown/cast around/into”

• करम्भ-वालुक-उपरि: upon the gruel-like sand
• करम्भ-वालुक-उपरि: Deśa-adhikaraṇa (देशाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: करम्भ (प्रातिपदिक) + वालुक (प्रातिपदिक) + उपरि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, देशवाचक (locative adverb): “on/above”; पूर्वपद-तत्पुरुष: “करम्भवालुकायाः उपरि” = upon gruel-like sand

Speaker

Pulastya (to Bhīṣma) [contextual identification typical of Bhūmi-khaṇḍa narrations]

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Geographic Context

Type: celestial_realm

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: करम्भवालुकोपरि = करम्भवालुक + उपरि; compounds are descriptive, agreeing with an implied feminine subject (e.g., a woman/soul) in nominative singular.

FAQs

What is being described in this verse?

It depicts punitive conditions in naraka (hell), emphasizing intense suffering through heat, fire, and being cast into oil over burning substances.

How does this verse relate to the Padma Purana’s ethical teaching?

By vividly portraying consequences, it reinforces the doctrine of karma: harmful actions generate painful results, urging restraint, righteousness, and repentance.

Does this verse mention any specific tirtha or devotional practice?

No. This verse is focused on naraka imagery and karmic retribution rather than pilgrimage geography or explicit bhakti instruction.