Padma Purana — Srishti Khanda, Shloka 14
The Five Great Sacrifices: Supremacy of Honoring Parents, Pativrata Dharma, Truthfulness, and Śrāddha
प्रतीके च विलग्नानि तावत्पूतः सुतस्तयोः । पादारविंदसलिलं यः पित्रोः पिबते सुतः
pratīke ca vilagnāni tāvatpūtaḥ sutastayoḥ | pādāraviṃdasalilaṃ yaḥ pitroḥ pibate sutaḥ
So long as he remains devoted to the rites and service for them, the son of those parents is purified—especially that son who drinks the sacred water from the lotus-feet of his father and mother.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Concept: A son devotedly attached to serving parental rites is purified; especially purified is one who ‘drinks’ the water from the lotus-feet of parents—signifying complete reverence and acceptance of their blessings.
Application: Receive blessings with sincerity; keep a daily practice of service (care, errands, respectful attention); interpret ‘drinking foot-water’ as metaphor for internalizing teachings and gratitude, while respecting cultural/ethical boundaries.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devoted child kneels before parents, holding a small copper vessel as a few drops of water—symbolic pādāravinda-salila—are offered as blessing. The parents’ feet are painted as lotus-like, and the water glows softly, suggesting caraṇāmṛta; the child’s face shows tender humility rather than spectacle.","primary_figures":["Mother","Father","Devoted child"],"setting":"Home shrine-corner with a low seat, copper lota, small lamp, and simple ritual items; intimate domestic sanctity","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["copper bronze","warm amber","lotus pink","deep maroon","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: close-up devotional domestic sacrament; parents’ lotus-feet highlighted with gold leaf; child receiving a few drops in a copper spoon/vessel; ornate textile patterns, rich reds/greens, embossed gold borders, gem-like highlights on the water as caraṇāmṛta symbolism.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tender indoor scene with delicate brushwork; subtle glow on the water drops; refined expressions, soft textiles, minimal background with lyrical intimacy and gentle color washes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized lotus-feet motif; copper vessel prominent; warm natural pigments; lamp-lit ambience; symmetrical, icon-like dignity even in a domestic setting.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central blessing-water motif framed by lotus and floral borders; deep blue/maroon ground with gold highlights; intricate patterns around the feet like lotus petals; auspicious fillers (peacocks, floral vines) kept subtle to preserve intimacy."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft bell","lamp flame","quiet breath pauses","low tanpura drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sutastayoḥ → sutaḥ tayoḥ; pādāraviṃdasalilaṃ → pāda-aravinda-salilam (tatpuruṣa); pitroḥ is dual genitive of pitṛ; vilagnāni agrees with an implied neuter plural (e.g., pāpāni/kalmaṣāṇi) or with a neuter plural subject understood from context.
FAQs
It highlights filial reverence—remaining devoted to duties/rites connected with one’s parents, and the symbolic act of taking (drinking) the water from their lotus-feet as an expression of humility and service.
It applies a bhakti-like attitude (devotional reverence) to one’s parents, presenting service and humility toward them as a purifier of the heart and conduct.
The verse teaches that honoring and serving one’s parents—through sustained commitment and reverent conduct—has a transformative, purifying ethical power.