Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 27
The Account of Sukalā and the Greatness of Nārī-tīrtha
Wife-Assisted Śrāddha and Pitṛ-Liberation
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं पुण्याख्यानमनुत्तमम् । यः शृणोति नरो राजन्सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
etatte sarvamākhyātaṃ puṇyākhyānamanuttamam | yaḥ śṛṇoti naro rājansarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate
হে ৰাজন, এই সকলো কথা মই তোমাক সম্পূৰ্ণকৈ ক’লোঁ—ই এক অনুত্তম পুণ্যাখ্যান। যি নৰে ইয়াক শ্ৰৱণ কৰে, সি সকলো পাপৰ পৰা মুক্ত হয়।
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (rājan)
Concept: Śravaṇa of puṇyākhyāna destroys pāpa; attentive listening is itself a devotional act that purifies the heart.
Application: Set aside time to hear/read sacred texts with attention; replace idle listening with elevating narratives; share kathā in family settings as a gentle daily sādhana.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage-like narrator sits on a kusa-grass seat, concluding a sacred tale before a king who listens with folded hands, the air thick with the hush of completion. As the final words ‘freed from all sins’ are spoken, a subtle aura lifts like mist from the listener’s heart, symbolized by dark smoke dissolving into clear light.","primary_figures":["Narrator (sage or Purāṇika)","King (rājan)","Attendant scribes or disciples (optional)"],"setting":"Forest hermitage or palace hall turned into a kathā-sabhā, with a low dais, water pot, and palm-leaf manuscripts","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm amber","sandalwood beige","deep maroon","smoke gray (dissolving)","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: kathā-sabhā with narrator-sage holding palm-leaf manuscript, king seated respectfully; gold leaf halo around the narrator, ornate borders, rich reds and greens; symbolic dark pāpa-smoke dissolving into gold light near the listener; gem-studded ornaments and traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate storytelling scene under a canopy of trees; fine brushwork on faces and textiles; the king’s attentive posture emphasized; subtle visual metaphor of purification—gray wash fading into pale gold around the listener; cool natural palette with delicate detailing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized seated figures; narrator in upper-left speaking gesture, king in receptive pose; lamp and manuscript as key motifs; flat warm pigments with strong reds/yellows/greens; a clear visual band showing ‘pāpa’ as dark motif dissolving into light.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral border framing a central kathā scene; repeated lotus motifs around the narrator to signify purity; deep blue background with gold highlights; decorative script-like motifs suggesting sacred sound; peacocks and lamps as auspicious elements."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["low tanpura drone","soft temple bell at the end","silence between phrases","rustling leaves","distant conch (benediction)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एतत्ते = एतत् + ते; सर्वमाख्यातम् = सर्वम् + आख्यातम्; पुण्याख्यानमनुत्तमम् = पुण्याख्यानम् + अनुत्तमम्; राजन्सर्वपापैः = राजन् + सर्वपापैः.
FAQs
It states a phalaśruti: listening (śravaṇa) to this sacred, meritorious narrative grants purification and release from sins.
It uses the general term naraḥ (“a person/man”), indicating the benefit is broadly available to anyone who listens with receptivity.
It highlights the transformative power of attentive listening to dharmic teachings—encouraging engagement with sacred discourse as a means of self-purification.