Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 6
The Account of Sukalā: Chastity Overcomes Kāma and an Indra-like Trial
तद्बाणो विशतेनासां यथा तथा सुलीलया । सा गंधं नैव गृह्णाति पुष्पाणां च वरानना
tadbāṇo viśatenāsāṃ yathā tathā sulīlayā | sā gaṃdhaṃ naiva gṛhṇāti puṣpāṇāṃ ca varānanā
وسهمه ينفذ إلى منخريها على نحوٍ تارةً وتارةً، على سبيل الملاعبة؛ غير أنّ تلك السيدة الحسناء لا تدرك البتّة عبير الأزهار.
Narrator (context not provided in the excerpt; exact dialogue pair cannot be securely identified)
Concept: Sense-objects may strike the senses, yet inner resolve can prevent craving from arising.
Application: When temptation ‘enters the nostrils’ (first contact), do not elaborate it mentally; return attention to mantra, duty, and sattvic habits.
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Kāmadeva’s invisible arrow—made of blossoms—spirals toward a fair-faced lady, entering near her nostrils in playful arcs, yet her expression remains calm and unresponsive. Flowers hover midair as if enchanted, but the lady stands like a still lamp in a windless shrine.","primary_figures":["A fair-faced chaste lady (varānanā)","Kāmadeva (subtle or partially visible with floral bow)"],"setting":"A flowering grove with airborne petals, creepers, and a quiet stone platform suggesting a vow or inner discipline.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["rose red","lotus pink","sapphire blue","leaf green","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Kāma with sugarcane bow and flower arrows, rendered with gold leaf accents; the lady in dignified posture with serene face, heavy ornaments, and a subtle halo; floating blossoms highlighted with gold, rich reds/greens, ornate arch frame.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate floral arrow trails like fine calligraphy; the lady’s calm gaze and refined features contrast with swirling petals; soft garden landscape, cool shadows, meticulous botanical detail.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized Kāma with floral weapons, the lady with large tranquil eyes; patterned vines and blossoms fill the background; strong reds, yellows, and greens with temple-wall rhythm.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: dense lotus and floral motifs forming the ‘arrow’ path; central calm figure framed by ornate borders; deep blue ground with gold floral tracery, peacocks and parrots witnessing the unmoved chastity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["fluttering petals","soft drum pulse","temple bells","sudden hush"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tat+bāṇaḥ→tadbāṇaḥ; viśate+nāsām→viśatenāsām; na+eva→naiva; vara+ānanā→varānanā.
FAQs
It is a poetic metaphor for Kāma’s love-arrow—desire entering through sensory channels (here, smell), suggesting temptation through sense-perception.
The verse contrasts external stimuli with inner state: despite the presence of alluring sense-objects, her mind remains unaffected—indicating restraint, numbness to temptation, or detachment.
It highlights mastery over the senses: even when desire “strikes,” one can remain unshaken by sensory allure, pointing toward self-control and vairāgya (dispassion).