Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 51
The Story of Sudevā and Śivaśarman (within the Sukalā Narrative): Pride, Neglect, and Household Discipline
सगुणं न वदेत्पुत्रं कुत्सयेच्च दिनेदिने । काठिन्यं च वदेन्नित्यं वचनैः परिपीडयेत्
saguṇaṃ na vadetputraṃ kutsayecca dinedine | kāṭhinyaṃ ca vadennityaṃ vacanaiḥ paripīḍayet
Qu’on ne s’adresse pas au fils en proclamant ses bonnes qualités; qu’on le reprenne jour après jour, qu’on lui parle avec dureté sans cesse et qu’on le tourmente par des paroles.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa Adhyaya 47)
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वदेत्पुत्रम् = वदेत् + पुत्रम् (त् + प् → त्प्). कुत्सयेच्च = कुत्सयेत् + च (त् + च → च्च). दिनेदिने = दिने + दिने (पुनरुक्ति). वदेन्नित्यम् = वदेत् + नित्यम् (त् + न् → न्न्).
FAQs
Taken literally, it describes a pattern of constant reproach and verbal torment; without the surrounding chapter context, it is safer to treat it as a reported or cautionary statement rather than a universal prescription.
It foregrounds the power of speech in family life—how repeated censure and harsh words can become a form of oppression, shaping conduct through verbal pressure.
Across Purāṇic dharma discussions, speech is treated as morally consequential; this line fits that ethical emphasis, and its intent (instruction vs. critique) should be confirmed from the surrounding dialogue.