Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 3
Manifestation of the Śrī Vāsudeva Hymn in the Glory of Guru-tīrtha
Cyavana Narrative within the Vena Episode
वासुदेवाभिधानं तत्सर्वश्रेयः प्रदायकम् । मोक्षद्वारं सुखोपेतं शांतिदं पुष्टिवर्द्धनम्
vāsudevābhidhānaṃ tatsarvaśreyaḥ pradāyakam | mokṣadvāraṃ sukhopetaṃ śāṃtidaṃ puṣṭivarddhanam
إن هذا الاسم «فاسوديفا» يهب كلَّ خيرٍ أعلى؛ وهو بابُ الموكشا، مقرونٌ بالسعادة، مانحٌ للسلام، ومُنمٍّ للقوة والرخاء.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses of Bhūmi-khaṇḍa 98).
Concept: Vāsudeva-nāma is sarva-śreyas-prada: it grants auspiciousness, peace, prosperity, and opens the door to liberation.
Application: Daily japa of 'Vāsudeva' (nāma-smaraṇa) at dawn/dusk; use the name as a mental refuge during anxiety; pair with simple offerings (water, lamp) to a Viṣṇu image or śālagrāma if available.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene temple interior where a devotee softly chants 'Vāsudeva' before a four-armed Viṣṇu icon; the syllables appear as luminous lotus-petals drifting upward, forming a radiant doorway in the air. The doorway opens onto a calm, infinite sky-ocean, suggesting mokṣa as a threshold of peace and fullness.","primary_figures":["Vāsudeva (Viṣṇu)","a humble devotee (generic bhakta)","optional: Lakṣmī as śrī-śakti beside Viṣṇu"],"setting":"Lamp-lit sanctum with lotus motifs, conch and discus emblems, faint incense haze; a symbolic 'mokṣa-dvāra' of light behind the deity.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","gold leaf","ivory white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vāsudeva seated on a lotus throne in a sanctum, heavy gold leaf halo and arch, gem-studded ornaments, conch and discus prominent; the word 'वासुदेव' rendered as stylized golden akṣaras forming a radiant doorway behind him; rich crimson and emerald textiles, deep sapphire skin tones, ornate temple pillars.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet shrine scene with delicate lines; Viṣṇu in soft sapphire hues, a small devotee chanting with folded hands; luminous akṣaras float like petals toward a pale, misty doorway of light; refined faces, lyrical calm, subtle floral borders and a gentle landscape hinted beyond the threshold.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, natural pigments; Vāsudeva with large expressive eyes, conch-discus-mace-lotus; a glowing archway of light behind, akṣaras 'वा-सु-दे-व' stylized as lotus forms; warm red-yellow-green palette, temple wall texture, rhythmic ornamental bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: lotus-filled backdrop with ornate floral borders; central Vāsudeva iconography adapted to Pichwai symmetry, deep indigo ground with gold highlights; akṣara-lotus garlands spelling 'वासुदेव' encircle a luminous doorway motif; peacocks and stylized lotuses, intricate Nathdwara-like detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","incense crackle","silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तत्सर्वश्रेयः = तत् + सर्वश्रेयः; गद्यपाठे सर्वश्रेयः इति नपुंसक-एकवचनं (श्रेयः) प्रथमा/द्वितीया-रूपम्।
FAQs
It extols the spiritual power of the divine name “Vāsudeva,” presenting it as a source of supreme welfare, inner peace, and as a means leading toward liberation (mokṣa).
By praising the name itself as a giver of auspicious results, the verse supports nāma-japa (repetition of God’s name) as a direct and accessible bhakti-sādhana.
It encourages cultivating remembrance of the divine (through the name “Vāsudeva”) as a stabilizing practice that fosters peace, wellbeing, and a liberation-oriented life.