Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 34
The Tale of Sukalā: Testing Pativratā Fidelity and the Body-as-House Teaching
तस्याहं हि प्रिया भार्या सत्यसंधस्य धीमतः । कृकलस्यापि वैश्यस्य सत्यमेव वदामि ते
tasyāhaṃ hi priyā bhāryā satyasaṃdhasya dhīmataḥ | kṛkalasyāpi vaiśyasya satyameva vadāmi te
Ich bin wahrlich die geliebte Gattin jenes Weisen, der seinem Gelübde treu ist—des Vaiśya Kṛkala. Ich sage dir nichts als die Wahrheit.
Unspecified female speaker (a wife identifying herself as Kṛkala’s wife)
Concept: Satya-saṅkalpa (truth-bound resolve) is the core of dharma; marital love becomes sacred when grounded in truth and vow-keeping.
Application: Speak truth even when it is vulnerable; keep promises; let affection be disciplined by integrity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devoted wife steps forward and identifies herself with quiet confidence, declaring her bond to a wise, vow-true husband named Kṛkala. Her expression is tender yet unwavering, as if truth itself is her ornament. The listener is shown softened by the sincerity of her ‘satyam eva’ declaration.","primary_figures":["wife of Kṛkala (speaker)","listener (questioner)"],"setting":"A threshold space—half inside the home, half open to the road—symbolizing the meeting of household dharma and pilgrimage duty.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["soft gold","terracotta","jade green","indigo","cream"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the wife of Kṛkala at the doorway of a modest home, right hand raised in oath-like truth gesture, left holding a small offering plate; gold leaf halo and ornate border; rich reds/greens, gem-like highlights on bangles, a small shrine niche visible behind her to suggest dharma-centered household.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: doorway scene with delicate shading; the woman’s face refined and calm, eyes lowered; subtle details of woven mats, clay pots, and a distant path; cool greens and indigos with warm skin tones; lyrical naturalism emphasizing sincerity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, the woman centered with expressive eyes and poised hand gesture; warm red/yellow palette with green accents; stylized doorway and lamp; decorative floral border to frame the oath of truth.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral border and lotus motifs; the wife depicted with a gentle golden aura, standing near a small tulasi platform; deep blue background with gold highlights; intricate textile patterns emphasizing sacred domesticity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft temple bell","quiet breath pauses","leaf rustle","distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्य + अहम् → तस्याहम्; कृकलस्य + अपि → कृकलस्यापि; सत्यम् + एव → सत्यमेव
FAQs
Kṛkala is described as satyasaṃdha—steadfast in truth or firmly bound by a vow of truth.
The verse foregrounds satya (truthfulness) as a defining virtue and a marker of dharmic character.
Not directly; it reads as part of a moral narrative/dialogue emphasizing truth and personal identity rather than a doctrinal or tīrtha-focused passage.