Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 11
Narada Consoles King Āyu: Prophecy of the Son’s Return and Future Sovereignty
इत्याह नारदो भद्रे मा कृथाः शोकमेव च । त्यज चैनं महामोहं कार्यधर्मविनाशनम्
ityāha nārado bhadre mā kṛthāḥ śokameva ca | tyaja cainaṃ mahāmohaṃ kāryadharmavināśanam
So sprach Nārada: „O edle Frau, gib dich nicht dem Kummer hin. Wirf diese große Verblendung ab, die sowohl das rechte Tun als auch das Dharma zerstört.“
Nārada
Concept: Grief-fed delusion (moha) erodes both right action (kārya) and righteousness (dharma); regain discernment through steadiness.
Application: When overwhelmed, pause, name the delusion driving the grief, and return to one concrete dharmic duty (service, truthfulness, prayer) before making major decisions.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A compassionate sage Nārada stands beside a sorrowing noblewoman in a palace courtyard, his vīṇā resting at his side as he raises a calming hand in blessing. The woman’s tearful face softens into composure, while lotus motifs and a small Viṣṇu shrine in the background suggest the Vaishnava moral center of the counsel.","primary_figures":["Nārada","a noble lady (Indumatī or unnamed queen)","attendant women","small shrine image of Viṣṇu"],"setting":"royal palace courtyard with carved pillars, tulasī planter near a small shrine, quiet garden path","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit transitioning to golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron gold","lotus pink","deep indigo","ivory white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Nārada consoling a grieving queen in a palace courtyard, gold leaf halo around Nārada and the small Viṣṇu shrine, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate pillars with lotus carvings, tulasī planter near the shrine, devotional serenity emphasized with thick gesso relief and luminous gold accents.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate Nārada with vīṇā offering gentle counsel to a sorrowing queen, refined facial features and soft gestures, cool dawn sky over a palace garden, slender cypress and flowering vines, subtle lotus motifs, lyrical naturalism and fine brushwork with muted blues and pinks.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, Nārada in saffron with stylized vīṇā, large expressive eyes, the queen seated with hands folded, a small Viṣṇu icon in the background niche, red-yellow-green palette, temple-wall aesthetic with floral borders and lotus medallions.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Vaishnava courtyard scene framed by intricate floral borders, lotus and tulasī motifs, a small Śrī Viṣṇu shrine at center-back, peacocks perched on parapet, deep blue background with gold detailing, devotional calm as Nārada gestures reassurance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","gentle vīṇā drone","morning birds","faint conch shell","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इति + आह → इत्याह; शोकम् + एव → शोकमेव; च + एनम् → चैनम्
FAQs
Nārada is speaking, urging the addressed woman (“bhadre”) not to indulge in grief and to abandon delusion.
It characterizes delusion (moha) as destructive of both practical duty (kārya) and moral-spiritual righteousness (dharma), meaning confusion erodes right action and right values together.
The verse teaches emotional discipline and clarity: grief-driven delusion should be relinquished because it obstructs responsible action and adherence to dharma.