Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 29
Dialogue of Gobhila and Padmāvatī: Daitya Obstruction vs. the Power of Pativratā Dharma
अग्निं च पितरं चैव न त्यजेत्स्वामिनं शुभे । सदा विप्रः सुतो भृत्यः सत्यं सत्यं वदाम्यहम्
agniṃ ca pitaraṃ caiva na tyajetsvāminaṃ śubhe | sadā vipraḥ suto bhṛtyaḥ satyaṃ satyaṃ vadāmyaham
Ô bienheureuse, qu’on n’abandonne jamais le feu sacré, ni son père, ni son maître. Le brāhmane, le fils et le serviteur doivent demeurer constants à jamais : c’est la vérité ; oui, je te dis la vérité.
Unspecified (narratorial instruction within a dialogue; exact speaker not identifiable from the single verse alone)
Concept: Never abandon the three pillars of obligation—agni, father, and master; steadfastness defines the integrity of brahmin/son/servant roles.
Application: Maintain gratitude and duty: care for parents/elders, honor mentors/employers ethically, keep daily spiritual disciplines consistent.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solemn vow scene: a teacher-like figure raises a hand in affirmation while pointing toward a bright sacred fire; behind him stand an aged father and a dignified master, forming a triad of dharma. The listener—an ‘auspicious one’—sits respectfully, the air charged with truth repeated twice.","primary_figures":["Didactic sage/teacher figure","Agni (sacred fire)","Father (pitṛ)","Master (svāmin)","Respectful listener (auspicious woman or disciple)"],"setting":"Household ritual hall with fire altar, seats of honor for elders, and simple ritual implements.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["warm gold","ivory white","vermillion","emerald green","lapis blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central teacher with raised blessing hand, luminous Agni-kunda with gold-leaf flames, father and master seated on either side like dharma-pillars; ornate arch, gem-studded ornaments, rich reds/greens, embossed halos, traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate indoor courtyard; delicate gestures and expressive eyes; the triad (fire, father, master) arranged harmoniously; soft blues and greens, fine textile patterns, gentle radiance around the fire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; stylized figures with large eyes; central flame motif; father and master flanking; strong red-yellow-green palette, temple-wall didactic composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic triad—central lotus-flame medallion, two flanking honor-seats with garlands; intricate floral border; deep blue ground with gold and vermillion highlights, devotional symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["steady bell","fire crackle","soft mridang pulse","conch accent at 'satyam'","brief resonant silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव; त्यजेत्स्वामिनम् = त्यजेत् + स्वामिनम्; वदाम्यहम् = वदामि + अहम्.
FAQs
It teaches steadfastness to fundamental obligations—maintaining the sacred fire (religious duty), honoring one’s father (familial duty), and remaining loyal to one’s master (social/contractual duty).
They represent three pillars of dharma: ritual responsibility (Agni), lineage and gratitude (father), and fidelity to entrusted service or authority (master).
It underscores role-based duty (svadharma): the brāhmaṇa is to uphold disciplined conduct, the son to honor familial responsibility, and the servant to maintain faithful service—each urged toward constancy.