Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 7
The Account of Sukalā: Chastity Overcomes Kāma and an Indra-like Trial
न चास्वादयते सा तु सुरसान्सा महासती । स सखा कामदेवस्य रममाणो विनिर्जितः
na cāsvādayate sā tu surasānsā mahāsatī | sa sakhā kāmadevasya ramamāṇo vinirjitaḥ
غير أنّ العفيفة العظيمة سوراسانسَا لم تتذوّق منه شيئًا. وأمّا هو—رفيق كاماديفا—فعلى الرغم من لهوه في السرور، فقد غُلِب وقُهِر.
Unspecified (narrative voice within the Purāṇic dialogue context)
Concept: True strength is the refusal to indulge; the tempter is defeated when the mind does not consent.
Application: Practice ‘non-partaking’: when offered alluring experiences, choose a higher commitment (japa, seva, fidelity, integrity).
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A great chaste lady stands composed, hands relaxed, refusing a richly scented offering; her calm becomes a shield. Nearby, Kāma’s companion—once playful—staggers as if struck by invisible force, the triumph belonging not to violence but to purity.","primary_figures":["Surasānsā (as named in translation)","Companion of Kāmadeva (unnamed)","Kāmadeva (suggested presence)"],"setting":"A garden-hall threshold with a tray of fragrant items (flowers, perfumes, sweets) set aside untouched; vines and blossoms frame the moral contest.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep maroon","warm gold","sage green","smoke gray","cream white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Surasānsā in dignified frontal pose with gold leaf halo, refusing an ornate offering tray; the defeated companion shown turning away, posture collapsing; heavy gold embellishment, rich reds/greens, jewel-like detailing, carved-arch framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate moral drama—Surasānsā serene, the offering untouched; the companion’s playful confidence dissolves into defeat; delicate textiles, refined faces, soft garden background with lyrical restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold, iconic Surasānsā with calm eyes; offering tray stylized; the companion shown in a dynamic, off-balance pose; strong reds/yellows/greens, patterned borders, temple-wall narrative clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central serene figure framed by ornate floral borders; symbolic motifs of restraint—closed lotus buds near the offering, open lotuses near the devotee; deep blue and gold, intricate ornamentation, peacocks as witnesses."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft conch shell","single bell strikes","low drone (tanpura)","night insects"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: cāsvādayate = ca + āsvādayate; surasānsā read as surasā aṃsā (anusvāra from sandhi/orthography); mahāsatī = mahā + satī; kāmadevasya = kāma-devasya (tatpuruṣa).
FAQs
It highlights restraint and steadfast virtue (mahāsatī), contrasting it with desire-driven enjoyment that ends in being overcome or defeated.
Surasānsā is presented as a proper name and praised as a mahāsatī, i.e., a woman of exceptional chastity/virtue who refuses to partake.
Kāmadeva functions as a symbolic anchor for desire (kāma); referencing his companion underscores that even those aligned with pleasure can be overpowered when confronted with higher virtue or circumstance.