Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 13
Description of the Demons’ Austerities
Why the Gods Won
द्वैविध्यं कर्मसंबंधं पापपुण्यसमुद्भवम् । सत्यमेव समाश्रित्य क्रियते धर्म उत्तमः
dvaividhyaṃ karmasaṃbaṃdhaṃ pāpapuṇyasamudbhavam | satyameva samāśritya kriyate dharma uttamaḥ
Le karma est lié de deux manières, naissant comme faute et comme mérite. En ne prenant refuge que dans la vérité, on accomplit le dharma suprême.
Unspecified (narrative voice not provided in the excerpt; commonly framed within Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue in Bhūmi-khaṇḍa contexts)
Concept: Karma yields two streams—pāpa and puṇya; anchoring oneself in satya enables the practice of highest dharma.
Application: Before acting, test intentions against truthfulness; choose transparency, keep promises, avoid self-justifying lies; track actions by their ethical fruit (harm/help).
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two luminous streams flow from a single act: one dark and heavy (pāpa), one bright and clear (puṇya), converging toward a radiant pillar labeled ‘Satya’ in symbolic script. A sage points to the pillar while a devotee stands with folded hands, choosing the bright stream that leads to a distant Viṣṇu temple silhouette.","primary_figures":["Sage/teacher","Devotee/householder","Personified Satya (symbolic pillar or deity-like aura)"],"setting":"River confluence-like allegory in a sacred landscape; far-off temple spire with śaṅkha-cakra flag.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["midnight blue","crystal white","emerald green","sunrise gold","charcoal black"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: allegorical confluence scene with two rivers—one dark, one luminous—flowing toward a central gold-leaf ‘Satya-stambha’ (pillar of truth) crowned with a halo; a sage gestures, a devotee kneels; distant Viṣṇu shrine with gold accents, ornate borders with lotus and śaṅkha-cakra motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined landscape with a gentle confluence, delicate ripples; the bright stream painted in pale turquoise, the dark stream in ink-blue; a calm sage instructs a devotee; a small temple on a hill, soft clouds, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold symbolic rivers as sweeping bands of color, central pillar of Satya with stylized script-like ornament; sage and devotee in iconic poses; strong reds/yellows/greens with black outlines, temple emblem in the background.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Satya pillar framed by lotus garlands; two flowing bands (dark and bright) patterned with floral motifs; small Viṣṇu symbols and peacocks near the bright stream; deep blue cloth ground with gold and white detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","soft conch drone","temple bells (distant)","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सत्यमेव = सत्यम् + एव (म् + ए → मे).
FAQs
It refers to karma producing two primary moral outcomes—pāpa (demerit/sin) and puṇya (merit)—which shape one’s ethical and spiritual trajectory.
Because truthfulness is presented as the stabilizing foundation of righteous action; when actions are grounded in satya, dharma becomes “uttama,” i.e., elevated and reliable.
Evaluate actions by their moral consequences (pāpa/puṇya) and prioritize truth as the guiding principle for choosing and performing righteous conduct.