Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 23
The Deeds of Nahuṣa: Entry into Nāgāhvaya, Reunion with Parents, and Royal Consecration
पितरं याजयामास राजसूयादिभिस्तदा । महायज्ञैश्च दानैश्च व्रतैर्नियमसंयमैः
pitaraṃ yājayāmāsa rājasūyādibhistadā | mahāyajñaiśca dānaiśca vratairniyamasaṃyamaiḥ
Alors il fit honorer son père par des rites tels que le Rājasūya, avec de grands yajñas, des dons de charité et des vœux sacrés, appuyés par la discipline et la maîtrise de soi.
Unspecified narrator (contextual speaker not provided in the excerpt)
Concept: Great rites gain their true power when supported by dāna, vrata, niyama, and saṃyama—outer ritual anchored in inner restraint.
Application: Pair any ‘big project’ with daily disciplines: moderation, ethical constraints, and regular giving; let vows protect intention from ego.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast yajña-śālā opens like a sacred mandala: four fires blaze, priests chant, and the Rājasūya paraphernalia—golden ladles, soma vessels, and consecration jars—glitter in ordered rows. Nahuṣa stands respectfully behind his father, who is honored at the center, while donors distribute gifts and ascetics observe vows in quiet discipline at the periphery.","primary_figures":["Ayu (father)","Nahuṣa","ṛtvij priests","brahmins receiving dāna","vow-keeping ascetics"],"setting":"Ritual pavilion with kusa-grass altars, fire pits, soma-pressing stones, banners, and a consecration platform; surrounding it, orderly lines of recipients and observers.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron orange","smoldering ember red","ghee-gold","ash white","deep teak brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Grand Rājasūya yajña scene with multiple fire altars, priests in white with sacred threads, Ayu at the center receiving honor, Nahuṣa standing in devotion; heavy gold leaf on ritual vessels and crowns, rich reds/greens, embossed flames, symmetrical mandala-like layout, ornate borders with lotus and conch motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Detailed yajña pavilion with delicate brushwork—tiny priests, precise ritual implements, soft smoke curls; cool background landscape with a river hinted far away, refined faces, emphasis on serenity and order, gentle pastel palette with warm fire accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Iconic yajña composition—four fires, priests in stylized poses, Ayu and Nahuṣa frontal; bold outlines, flat pigments, rhythmic flame patterns, temple-wall aesthetic with decorative borders and auspicious symbols.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Yajña mandala framed by intricate floral borders; central fire altar like a lotus, donors offering trays, peacocks at corners, deep blue ground with gold highlights; narrative medallions around showing dāna, vrata observance, and disciplined ascetics."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["Vedic chanting","crackling fire","clinking ladles","conch shell","temple bells"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राजसूयादिभिस्तदा → राजसूय-आदिभिः तदा; महायज्ञैश्च → महायज्ञैः च; दानैश्च → दानैः च; व्रतैर्नियमसंयमैः → व्रतैः नियम-संयमैः
FAQs
The Rājasūya is a major Vedic royal consecration sacrifice, associated with sovereignty and the public affirmation of a king’s legitimacy and dharmic rule.
It groups sacrificial worship (mahāyajña), charitable giving (dāna), vows/observances (vrata), and inner discipline (niyama) with self-restraint (saṃyama) as a combined model of righteous living.
The verse highlights that outer ritual actions gain strength when paired with inner restraint and disciplined conduct, presenting dharma as both practice and character.