Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 57
Vision of Nandana Grove: The Glory of the Wish-Fulfilling Tree and the Birth of Aśokasundarī
रेखात्रयं प्रशोभेत ग्रीवायां परिसंस्थितम् । सौभाग्यशीलशृंगारैस्तिस्रो रेखा इहैव हि
rekhātrayaṃ praśobheta grīvāyāṃ parisaṃsthitam | saubhāgyaśīlaśṛṃgāraistisro rekhā ihaiva hi
Trois lignes, harmonieusement posées sur le cou, sont tenues ici même pour des signes de bon augure, de noble caractère et d’élégante parure.
Unspecified (context not provided; verse appears as a descriptive statement within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Auspicious marks (lakṣaṇa) are treated as visible emblems of good fortune, character, and refined conduct—beauty as dharmic symbolism.
Application: Value character and comportment as the true ‘ornaments’; let external adornment follow inner discipline and kindness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene, symbolic composition focusing on the graceful curve of a neck adorned with three delicate lines, rendered as sacred ‘lakṣaṇa’. The scene feels like a quiet revelation: beauty becomes a script of virtue, with subtle ornaments and a calm, auspicious aura.","primary_figures":["Auspicious woman (detail study)","Optional: sage-figure indicating lakṣaṇa-śāstra teaching"],"setting":"Intimate chamber or temple-side pavilion with a small oil lamp, mirror, and garlands; background kept minimal to emphasize the symbolic neck motif.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["soft sandalwood beige","champaka yellow","rose quartz pink","pearl white","muted teal"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: close-up devotional portrait emphasizing the neck with three auspicious lines, heavy gold leaf accents on jewelry and borders, rich red-green textiles, embossed gold patterns framing the ‘lakṣaṇa’ as sacred iconography, lamp-lit glow and gem-like highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined close portrait with delicate brushwork, translucent skin tones, three subtle neck lines painted with precision; airy veranda with flowering vines, cool pastel background, lyrical restraint and elegance.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized figure with bold outlines, neck and three lines clearly emphasized as auspicious sign; warm yellow-ochre skin tones, red/green ornament accents, temple mural symmetry and flat decorative fields.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornamental framing with lotus borders and floral arabesques; central figure’s neck motif highlighted like a sacred emblem, deep indigo background with gold detailing, textile patterning and symmetrical decorative rhythm."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft tanpura drone","silence","distant temple bell","gentle breeze"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रेखात्रयम् = रेखा + त्रयम् (द्विगु/समाहारार्थः)। परिसंस्थितम् = परि + सम् + स्थितम्। सौभाग्यशीलशृंगारैः = सौभाग्य + शील + शृंगारैः (समुच्चय/समाससदृश-समाहारः)। इहैव = इह + एव।
FAQs
It states that three well-formed lines on the neck are regarded as auspicious indicators—associated with good fortune (saubhāgya), good character (śīla), and charm or refinement (śṛṅgāra).
It is descriptive (a lakṣaṇa), presenting a traditional sign interpreted as indicating auspicious qualities rather than prescribing a ritual or meditation.
Ethically, it can be read as praising inner virtues—good character and dignified refinement—while recognizing that such physiognomic sign-lists are part of historical cultural literature rather than a definitive measure of a person’s worth.