Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 13
The Lament of King Āyū and Indumatī: The Abduction/Loss of the Child and Karmic Reflection
याचमानस्य चैवाग्रे वैश्वदेवस्य कर्मणः । किं वापि नार्पितं चान्नं व्याहृतीभिर्हुतं द्विजैः
yācamānasya caivāgre vaiśvadevasya karmaṇaḥ | kiṃ vāpi nārpitaṃ cānnaṃ vyāhṛtībhirhutaṃ dvijaiḥ
Lorsqu’un mendiant se tient au seuil, au commencement du rite de Vaiśvadeva, quel aliment n’a pas été offert ? Ou quel aliment n’a pas été sanctifié par les brāhmaṇas en oblation, versée avec les saintes vyāhṛtis ?
Unspecified (context not provided for dialogue attribution)
Concept: Neglect of atithi-sevā and proper offering in Vaiśvadeva may generate subtle pāpa; ritual and compassion must align.
Application: Before eating, set aside food for guests, the needy, and beings; treat begging at the door as a sacred test of compassion.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At the doorway, a humble beggar stands with outstretched hands while inside a householder pauses mid-ritual, holding a ladle over a small fire-altar. A brāhmaṇa nearby chants the vyāhṛtis as grains and ghee are offered, and a plate of freshly cooked rice is set aside—capturing the tension between ritual precision and immediate compassion.","primary_figures":["householder performing Vaiśvadeva","beggar at the threshold","brāhmaṇa officiant"],"setting":"courtyard with a small domestic fire-altar (homa-kuṇḍa), doorway threshold, cooking area with vessels","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron","smoke-gray","copper","white rice-ivory","leaf-green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: domestic Vaiśvadeva homa with gold leaf on the fire and altar arch, householder offering with ladle, brāhmaṇa chanting, beggar at the threshold, rich reds/greens, ornate borders, emphasis on sacred hospitality as dharma.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: airy courtyard scene, delicate flames and incense smoke, refined gestures of offering, the beggar rendered with dignity, cool morning light, detailed utensils and textiles, gentle moral narrative tone.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized fire-altar and ritual implements, expressive eyes of the beggar and householder, warm pigment palette, rhythmic composition showing threshold as liminal sacred space.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: courtyard framed by lotus and floral borders, subtle cow and peacock motifs, central homa fire with deep blue ground and gold highlights, the act of setting aside anna-dāna depicted as devotional offering to Viṣṇu."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling fire","soft mantra chanting","clink of brass vessels","morning birds","footsteps at the threshold"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैवाग्रे = च + एव + अग्रे; वापि = वा + अपि; नार्पितं = न + अर्पितम्; चान्नं = च + अन्नम्; व्याहृतीभिर्हुतं = व्याहृतीभिः + हुतम्.
FAQs
It points to the gṛhastha duty of Vaiśvadeva—daily offerings and sharing food, especially when a supplicant is present at one’s door.
They are sacred utterances—commonly bhūḥ, bhuvaḥ, svaḥ—used in Vedic ritual contexts to sanctify offerings.
That food connected with sacred duty should not be withheld from those in need; ritual piety is incomplete without generosity and hospitality.