Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 14
Yayāti’s Summons to Heaven and the Teaching on Old Age, the Five-Element Body, and Self–Body Discernment
एवं चत्वारः पुत्राश्च ययातेस्तु महात्मनः । तेजसा पौरुषेणापि पितृतुल्यपराक्रमाः
evaṃ catvāraḥ putrāśca yayātestu mahātmanaḥ | tejasā pauruṣeṇāpi pitṛtulyaparākramāḥ
So hatte der großherzige Yayāti vier Söhne, dem Vater an Tapferkeit gleich—an Glanz wie auch an männlicher Kraft.
Narrator (Purāṇic narrator in the ongoing dialogue context of Bhūmi-khaṇḍa)
Concept: True greatness is measured by tejas (inner radiance) and parākrama (courage) aligned with inherited responsibility—sons mirroring a father’s dharmic strength.
Application: Cultivate excellence that uplifts others; inherit traditions thoughtfully and add virtue rather than mere power.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Four princes stand beneath a ceremonial canopy as their father’s aura seems to reflect in them—each figure edged with a subtle radiance, suggesting inherited tejas. The court’s banners ripple like flames, and the air feels charged with the promise of future epochs shaped by their courage.","primary_figures":["King Yayāti","Puru","Kuru","Yadu","royal heralds","court priests"],"setting":"royal durbar with victory standards, conch and drum bearers, and a sacred fire altar at the side","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sunrise gold","vermillion","royal blue","bronze","white jasmine"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: four princes with gold-leaf halos and elaborate crowns stand before Yayāti; heavy gold ornamentation, rich red-green textiles, sacred fire altar with stylized flames; symmetrical composition with gem-like detailing on jewelry and weapons.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant princes in refined garments, delicate shading on faces; banners and a pale dawn sky; restrained yet luminous palette, fine brushwork on ornaments and textiles, lyrical court atmosphere.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, flat pigments; princes with stylized eyes and patterned costumes; ceremonial canopy and lamps; strong reds/yellows/greens with rhythmic decorative borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a symbolic ‘tejas’ motif—lotus medallions behind each prince, ornate floral borders; deep indigo background with gold highlights; subtle Vaishnava emblem (chakra/śaṅkha) above, implying dharma upheld under Viṣṇu’s gaze."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","court drums (dundubhi)","temple bells","low chant of priests","crackling yajña fire"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुत्राश्च = पुत्राः + च; ययातेस्तु = ययातेः + तु; पौरुषेणापि = पौरुषेण + अपि; पितृतुल्यपराक्रमाः = पितृ + तुल्य + पराक्रमाः (समास)
FAQs
Yayāti is a renowned royal figure in Purāṇic and Itihāsa traditions, remembered as an important ancestor in dynastic genealogies; here he is praised as “mahātmā” (great-souled).
The verse highlights two royal virtues—tejas (radiant power, vigor) and pauruṣa (manly strength, courage)—stating that the sons match their father’s heroic valor.
It reflects the ideal of worthy succession: sons embodying the father’s virtues, sustaining the family’s honor, capability to protect, and the responsibilities associated with rulership and dharma.