Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 46
Vena Episode Conclusion: Pṛthu’s Merit and the Greatness of Hearing the Padma Purāṇa in Kali-yuga
कलौ युगे तु संप्राप्ते प्रथमं हि भविष्यति । भूमिखंडं नरः श्रुत्वासर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
kalau yuge tu saṃprāpte prathamaṃ hi bhaviṣyati | bhūmikhaṃḍaṃ naraḥ śrutvāsarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate
Lorsque l’âge de Kali sera advenu, ceci deviendra certes primordial. Celui qui écoute le Bhūmi-khaṇḍa est délivré de tous les péchés.
Unspecified (narratorial voice within the chapter; traditional frame often involves Pulastya instructing Bhīṣma in the Padma Purāṇa)
Concept: In Kali-yuga, the foremost remedy is śravaṇa of Vaiṣṇava Purāṇic teaching; attentive listening to Bhūmi-khaṇḍa frees one from all sins.
Application: Set a weekly or daily routine of listening/reading (kathā, pāṭha, audio recitation). Approach it as a vow-like discipline: clean space, focused mind, and a brief prayer to Hari before and after.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A crowded temple hall in Kali-yuga: people of all ages sit on the floor, eyes closed in absorption as a reciter chants the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa from a raised wooden seat. From the sound-waves of the chant, dark smoke-like ‘sins’ dissolve into golden light that rises and forms a protective aura shaped like Viṣṇu’s conch and discus above the assembly.","primary_figures":["Purāṇa reciter (paurāṇika)","devotees (mixed ages)","symbolic Viṣṇu aura (śaṅkha-cakra)"],"setting":"Temple hall with oil lamps, hanging bells, a small Viṣṇu altar, and a manuscript stand; community satsang atmosphere.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm amber","deep indigo","brass gold","sandalwood cream","ruby red"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: grand satsang in a South Indian mandapa, reciter on a vyāsāsana holding a manuscript; devotees in concentric rows; heavy gold leaf on lamp flames, pillars, and a large śaṅkha-cakra aura above; rich reds/greens, jewel ornaments, and embossed Sanskrit borders signifying ‘Bhūmi-khaṇḍa’.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate indoor kathā scene with delicate textiles and soft lamplight; reciter and listeners rendered with refined expressions; sins depicted as faint gray wisps dissolving into pale gold; cool shadows and lyrical calm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of a temple interior; reciter centered, devotees symmetrically arranged; stylized golden aura of conch-disc and dissolving dark patterns; traditional pigment palette with strong reds and yellows.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral and lotus borders framing a kathā assembly; central Viṣṇu shrine above the reciter; gold-highlighted sound-wave motifs turning into lotus petals, symbolizing purification; deep blue ground with intricate white and gold detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell (opening/closing)","mridanga (soft)","group response (hari-nāma refrain)","lamp crackle"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: śrutvāsarvapāpaiḥ = śrutvā + sarvapāpaiḥ; bhūmikhaṇḍaṃ समासः (bhūmi+khaṇḍa); saṃprāpte सति-सप्तमी; अन्यत्र स्पष्ट-सन्धिः न।
FAQs
It declares that in Kali-yuga, hearing the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa becomes especially important and that attentive listening to it brings purification, described as release from all sins.
It highlights śravaṇa (devotional hearing) as a primary spiritual discipline—receiving sacred narration itself is presented as transformative and purifying.
The verse implies that sincere engagement with dharma-teachings (through listening and internalizing them) supports moral reform and purification, encouraging a life aligned with right conduct.