Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 56
Womb-Suffering and the Path to Liberation
Dialogue of Wisdom, Meditation, and Discernment
बलहीनाथ दीनापि व्यापिता वलिना तदा । नेयं वृद्धा भवेन्नारी परं वृद्धा च कथ्यते
balahīnātha dīnāpi vyāpitā valinā tadā | neyaṃ vṛddhā bhavennārī paraṃ vṛddhā ca kathyate
يا ربّ، وإن كانت ضعيفةً بائسة، فإذا غطّتها التجاعيد فلا تُسمّى لذلك عجوزًا؛ بل تُقال عجوزًا حقًّا بمعنى آخر أسمى.
Unspecified (verse excerpt lacks explicit speaker marker in the provided input)
Concept: True ‘old age’ is not merely wrinkles and weakness; it is a deeper condition—implying inner decay (attachment/ignorance) or, conversely, mature detachment depending on the continuation of the teaching.
Application: Do not judge self/others by bodily decline; examine inner habits—resentment, greed, attachment—as the real markers to outgrow; cultivate daily bhakti practices that keep the heart ‘young’.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A frail, wrinkled figure stands in the foreground, but behind her a translucent overlay shows a second ‘older’ silhouette made of dark knots—symbols of attachment and ignorance—suggesting the ‘other sense’ of being truly old. A beam of light from a Vishnu lamp cuts through the knots, hinting that devotion unties the deeper aging of the soul.","primary_figures":["symbolic ‘wrinkled woman’","shadow-form of ‘true old age’ (attachment knots)","Vishnu lamp or chakra emblem"],"setting":"Symbolic interior with two layers: physical reality in front, metaphysical allegory behind; minimal props to emphasize teaching.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["charcoal black","lamp gold","pearl white","deep maroon","midnight blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: allegorical double-figure—outer wrinkled woman and inner shadow-body of knotted attachments; Vishnu lamp with intense gold leaf rays dissolving the knots, ornate frame with lotus motifs, rich reds and greens, jewel-like highlights emphasizing the ‘higher meaning’ revelation.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: subtle metaphysical layering—frail figure in front, faint shadow silhouette behind made of delicate ink knots; a small shrine lamp casting a clean diagonal light, cool blues with warm gold accents, refined expressions conveying sudden insight.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold symbolic panel—wrinkled figure and a darker inner silhouette with patterned knot motifs; Vishnu chakra emblem radiating; strong reds/yellows/greens with black outlines, temple-wall didactic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central allegory of ‘true old age’ as a garland of dark knots encircling a figure, with Krishna/Vishnu emblem above; lotus and tulasi border, deep indigo ground, gold filigree rays breaking the knot-circle, peacocks at corners for auspicious contrast."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["single bell strike at the turn (parāṁ vṛddhā)","tanpura drone","low wind tone","brief silence for emphasis","soft conch in distance"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: बलहीनाथ = बलहीना + अथ (आ + अ → आ; पदच्छेद: बलहीना अथ). दीनापि = दीना + अपि (आ + अ → आ). नेयं = न + इयम् (अ + इ → ए). भवेन्नारी = भवेत् + नारी (त् + न → न्न).
FAQs
It distinguishes physical signs of aging (wrinkles) from a deeper notion of being “truly old,” implying that age is not defined merely by outward appearance.
The verse suggests judging a person by inner condition or maturity rather than external bodily change, encouraging a more discerning and compassionate view of human life stages.
No. In the provided excerpt, no specific deity or person is named; only an address to a “lord” (nātha) appears without identification.