Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 91
The Tale of Sukalā: Testing Pativratā Fidelity and the Body-as-House Teaching
नखाग्रैर्घृष्यमाणा सा कंडूः शांता प्रजायते । तद्वत्तैश्च शृणुष्वैव सुरतस्य न संशयः
nakhāgrairghṛṣyamāṇā sā kaṃḍūḥ śāṃtā prajāyate | tadvattaiśca śṛṇuṣvaiva suratasya na saṃśayaḥ
Quand la démangeaison est frottée du bout des ongles, elle s’apaise et s’éteint. De même—écoute—il n’est point douteux que le plaisir de l’union charnelle naisse d’un tel frottement.
Unspecified (context needed from surrounding verses in Bhūmi-khaṇḍa 53)
Concept: Kāma-sukha is likened to the relief of itching—momentary, agitation-born, and not a stable good; discernment weakens attachment.
Application: When craving arises, observe its mechanics: tension → stimulation → brief relief → renewed agitation; choose practices that yield lasting śānti (japa, kīrtana, vrata discipline).
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: hasya
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage demonstrates the metaphor with a restrained, symbolic tableau: a figure scratches an itch and relaxes for a moment, while behind them a shadowy wheel of desire turns again, hinting at recurrence. Above, a serene Viṣṇu emblem radiates calm, contrasting transient relief with lasting peace.","primary_figures":["teaching sage (ṛṣi)","listener (gṛhastha or disciple)","allegorical figure of desire (kāma) as a subtle shadow form","Vishnu emblem (chakra/śaṅkha) or four-armed Viṣṇu icon"],"setting":"Hermitage courtyard with a low platform (āsana), tulasī pot near a lamp, symbolic wheel motif painted on a cloth backdrop","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep indigo","smoky charcoal","warm brass","sandalwood beige","vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sage teaching with a didactic gesture; foreground allegory of a person scratching an itch, rendered modestly; behind, a stylized Kāma-wheel motif; upper register shows a small four-armed Viṣṇu icon with gold leaf halo and ornate arch; rich reds/greens, gold embossing, jewel-like highlights on ornaments and lamp flames.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate conversation scene—ṛṣi and disciple seated on a white cloth; a subtle vignette of itch-relief as metaphor; cool palette with indigo and pale ochres, refined facial expressions, delicate linework; distant hills and a quiet stream to suggest inner calm beyond desire.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines—sage and listener in profile; symbolic Kāma as a dark swirling form near the lower border; Viṣṇu emblem above with radiant yellow-red aura; rhythmic floral patterns, traditional eye shapes, natural pigment palette.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Viṣṇu emblem framed by lotus borders; lower panels depict the teaching scene and a symbolic itch-relief vignette; intricate floral vines, peacocks at corners, deep blue ground with gold highlights, Nathdwara-inspired ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["single temple bell strike","soft mridangam pulse","tanpura drone","brief hush to emphasize the analogy"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nakhāgraiḥ + ghṛṣyamāṇā → nakhāgrair ghṛṣyamāṇā; tadvat + taiḥ + ca → tadvattaiś ca; śṛṇuṣva + eva → śṛṇuṣvaiva.
FAQs
It compares soothing an itch by scratching with nails to the arising of erotic pleasure through physical stimulation, presenting a bodily/psychological explanation via analogy.
Not directly in this standalone verse; it reads as a practical, worldly analogy. Bhakti or ethical framing would depend on the surrounding dialogue and intent of the chapter.
On its own it highlights how sensory contact conditions pleasure and relief; an ethical takeaway (e.g., restraint vs. indulgence) requires the broader chapter context to determine whether it is descriptive, cautionary, or instructive.