Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 15
The Glory of the Mother-and-Father Tīrtha
Within the Vena Episode
पश्य कौतुकमेवाद्य त्वं वश्यावश्यकारणम् । तमुवाच स धर्मात्मा सुकर्मा पिप्पलं प्रति
paśya kautukamevādya tvaṃ vaśyāvaśyakāraṇam | tamuvāca sa dharmātmā sukarmā pippalaṃ prati
„Sieh heute dieses Wunder: Du selbst bist die Ursache dafür, dass andere beherrschbar oder unbeherrschbar werden.“ So sprach der rechtschaffene Sukarmā zu Pippala.
Sukarmā (addressing Pippala)
Concept: The true ‘wonder’ is the recognition of causality: the seeker himself participates as a cause in the play of control and freedom—suggesting karma, saṃskāra, and divine governance intertwined.
Application: Before trying to control outcomes, examine the causes you embody—habits, intentions, vows; cultivate self-mastery and surrender rather than demanding external miracles.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Sukarmā speaks with tranquil authority, and the ‘wonder’ manifests not as fireworks but as a subtle vision: threads of light connect Pippala’s heart to the world around him, showing how intention and karma ripple outward to make beings ‘controllable or uncontrollable.’ Pippala’s face shifts from demanding awe to inward recognition, as if seeing himself as a node in a vast divine web.","primary_figures":["Sukarmā","Pippala"],"setting":"Quiet āśrama space with a symbolic cosmic web overlay—subtle mandala lines spanning trees, animals, and sky","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["soft gold","sage green","earth brown","lapis blue","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Sukarmā pointing gently as a gold-leaf ‘web of causality’ radiates from Pippala, connecting to stylized world elements (trees, river, village, stars), embossed gold lines and halos, rich maroon and green garments, ornate border with lotus and chakra motifs emphasizing Vaiṣṇava order.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: understated miracle—fine luminous lines like silk threads drawn across a naturalistic forest clearing, Pippala’s expression turning inward, Sukarmā calm, cool mountain palette with warm highlights, delicate brushwork conveying subtle metaphysics rather than spectacle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines with a circular mandala behind Pippala, radiating patterned lines to surrounding beings, Sukarmā as steady teacher, red-yellow-green pigments with deep blue accents, temple-wall clarity for an abstract ‘cause’ teaching.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central medallion of Pippala with radiating floral-vine patterns symbolizing karma threads, Sukarmā in a side panel speaking, ornate lotus borders, deep indigo ground with gold and white patterning, devotional symmetry turning philosophy into ornament."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft silence between phrases","distant river hush","single tanpura drone","occasional bell chime"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कौतुकम् एव अद्य → कौतुकम् एव अद्य; तम् उवाच → तम् उवाच; वश्यावश्यकारणम् → वश्य-अवश्य-कारणम्.
FAQs
It highlights a “wonder” (kautuka): Pippala is described as the cause behind others becoming either controllable (vaśya) or uncontrollable (avaśya), implying a power or principle that influences compliance or resistance.
Sukarmā, described as dharmātmā (righteous/virtuous), is speaking to Pippala.
The verse can be read as a reminder that influence over others (whether through virtue, authority, or spiritual power) should be recognized as significant and handled responsibly under dharma.