Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 36
Dialogue of Gobhila and Padmāvatī: Daitya Obstruction vs. the Power of Pativratā Dharma
धर्मार्थं सकलं प्रोक्तमधीतं तैस्तु सुंदरि । विंदंति सकलं सर्वे आचरंति न दानवाः
dharmārthaṃ sakalaṃ proktamadhītaṃ taistu suṃdari | viṃdaṃti sakalaṃ sarve ācaraṃti na dānavāḥ
Tout ce qui concerne le dharma leur a été enseigné et ils l’ont étudié, ô belle. Tous le connaissent entièrement ; pourtant les Dānava ne le mettent pas en pratique.
Mahādeva (Śiva) (contextual; addressing Pārvatī as ‘sundarī’)
Concept: Knowing dharma is not enough; practice (ācāra) is the true measure—Dānavas may learn but do not live it.
Application: Convert learning into habit: choose one daily dharmic practice (truthfulness, non-harm, japa, Ekādaśī restraint) and make it non-negotiable; audit gaps between ideals and actions.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: mountain
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On snow-bright Kailāsa, Mahādeva sits in yogic ease beside a crystal stream, speaking to Pārvatī who listens with attentive grace. Behind them, faint silhouettes of Dānavas appear as scholars holding manuscripts yet turning away from the path of practice—an allegory of knowledge without ācāra—while Śiva’s calm gaze radiates compassionate rebuke.","primary_figures":["Mahādeva (Śiva)","Pārvatī","Dānavas (allegorical background figures)"],"setting":"Kailāsa mountain terrace with snow peaks, rudrākṣa trees, and a small hermitage-like platform","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["snow white","ash gray","rudrākṣa brown","himalayan blue","aura gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Śiva and Pārvatī enthroned on Kailāsa with ornate gold-leaf halos, tiger-skin and silk textures, gem-studded ornaments; background shows manuscript-holding Dānavas in subdued tones; heavy gold embellishment on crowns, jewelry, and borders, rich reds/greens balanced with ash-gray sacredness.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate divine dialogue on a Himalayan ledge, delicate snow peaks and pine-like trees, Śiva’s ash-smeared body rendered with subtle shading; Pārvatī’s attentive expression refined; cool blues and whites with warm saffron accents, lyrical serenity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic Śiva-Pārvatī teaching scene with bold outlines, large expressive eyes, flat pigments; Kailāsa suggested by stylized mountains; Dānavas as patterned silhouettes; dominant red-yellow-green with ash-gray and blue, temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central seated divine couple framed by lotus and floral borders; peacocks and stylized mountain motifs; Dānavas depicted in small narrative panels around the border holding manuscripts; deep blue ground with gold detailing, intricate ornamentation and rhythmic patterning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["mountain wind","distant damaru (soft)","flowing water","long silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धर्मार्थं = धर्म + अर्थम् (तत्पुरुष); प्रोक्तमधीतं = प्रोक्तम् + अधीतम्; तैस्तु = तैः + तु.
FAQs
It distinguishes between intellectual knowledge of dharma and actual ethical conduct, stating that the Dānavas may know dharma fully but still refuse to live by it.
In Purāṇic literature, Dānavas often symbolize tendencies opposed to righteousness—pride, violence, and self-interest—so they serve as an example of knowing what is right yet not choosing it.
That learning scriptures is incomplete without ācāra (practice); true dharma is verified through lived behavior, not merely through study or eloquence.