Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 12
Dialogue of Gobhila and Padmāvatī: Daitya Obstruction vs. the Power of Pativratā Dharma
अहं दानवधर्मेण विचरामि महीतलम् । कस्मात्त्वं शप्तुकामासि मम दोषो विचार्यताम्
ahaṃ dānavadharmeṇa vicarāmi mahītalam | kasmāttvaṃ śaptukāmāsi mama doṣo vicāryatām
Je parcours la terre selon la loi des Dānavas. Pourquoi donc veux-tu me maudire ? Que l’on examine ma faute.
Unspecified (a Dānava/Daitya figure speaking in self-defense)
Concept: Even an adversarial being appeals to due examination of fault (doṣa-vicāra) before punishment; dharma includes discernment, not impulsive condemnation.
Application: Before judging or retaliating, ask for evidence, context, and intention; practice fair hearing (śravaṇa) and discrimination (viveka).
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lone Dānava stands on a dusty earth-road at the edge of a sacred grove, palms half-raised in argument, eyes sharp with defiance. Opposite him, an unseen or partially veiled figure of authority (a chaste woman or sage) radiates restrained power, as if a curse is poised but withheld for inquiry.","primary_figures":["Dānava (Daitya) speaker","Implied authority figure (Padmāvatī or a sage-like judge)"],"setting":"Earthly crossroads near a forest hermitage boundary, with distant smoke from sacrificial fires hinting at dharmic society nearby.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["burnt umber","ash grey","deep maroon","leaf green","muted gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a stern Dānava on a terrestrial path facing a veiled righteous figure, ornate gold-leaf halo around the righteous presence, rich maroon and emerald textiles, heavy gem-studded ornaments, stylized trees and a small agni-kuṇḍa in the background, South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a tense dialogue at a woodland edge, delicate facial expressions showing defiance and restraint, cool greens and browns, fine linework for jewelry and weapons, a small hermitage with smoke curling from a fire altar, lyrical naturalism in foliage.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, the Dānava with exaggerated eyes and dynamic stance, the righteous figure calm and centered, earthy reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall aesthetic with patterned borders and a subtle agni motif.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic moral confrontation framed by lotus and vine borders, earth-toned ground with gold highlights, stylized trees and floral motifs, a small central flame emblem representing dharma, intricate decorative patterning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["dry wind","distant temple bell","low drum pulse","brief silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dānavadharmeṇa→dānava + dharmeṇa; kasmāttvaṃ→kasmāt + tvam; śaptukāmāsi→śaptuṃ (tumun) + kāmaḥ + asi (sandhi/compound-like fusion); vicāryatām is passive imperative form.
FAQs
It refers to the behavioral code or customary conduct associated with Dānavas/Daityas—often a distinct, sometimes oppositional, moral framework compared to sāttvika or Vedic ideals.
The verse frames cursing as something that should follow due inquiry (vicāra). Even in polemical contexts, it highlights the principle that punishment should be proportionate and based on a verified offense.
It emphasizes procedural fairness: before condemning someone, one should investigate the alleged wrongdoing and understand intent, context, and established norms.