Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 22
The Tale of Sukalā: Illusion, Desire, and the Testing of a Chaste Wife
within the Vena Cycle
ददर्श सौख्यदं पुण्यं मायाभावं न विंदति । वीक्षमाणा वनं दिव्यं तया सह जनेश्वर
dadarśa saukhyadaṃ puṇyaṃ māyābhāvaṃ na viṃdati | vīkṣamāṇā vanaṃ divyaṃ tayā saha janeśvara
Il contempla cette scène sainte, dispensatrice de félicité, et ne perçut aucun état d’illusion (māyā). Fixant la forêt divine, le seigneur des hommes s’avança avec elle.
Narrator (contextual narration within the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa dialogue frame; specific speaker not identifiable from this single verse alone)
Concept: In a truly holy, bliss-giving state, delusion is not grasped; clarity and joy arise together when the mind is purified.
Application: When calm clarity appears, protect it: reduce reactive speech, keep a short daily practice (japa/reading), and choose environments that lessen agitation; treat moments of non-delusion as invitations to deepen devotion.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A kingly figure pauses at the threshold of the divine grove, his face softened by sudden peace as if a veil has lifted. Beside him stands his companion; together they gaze into a luminous forest where every leaf seems sanctified, and the air itself feels like blessing—no trace of confusion, only clear joy.","primary_figures":["Jana-īśvara (lord of men, king)","the woman companion","subtle divine presence (suggested, not overt)"],"setting":"A radiant forest clearing with a visible ‘aura’ of sanctity—clean pathways, gentle blossoms, and a sense of spaciousness that conveys clarity.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["pale gold","celadon green","white jasmine","lapis blue","soft coral"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a regal king and companion at the edge of a luminous sacred grove, expressions serene; gold leaf used to render the grove’s radiance and the king’s ornaments, rich reds and greens, embossed halo-like highlights in foliage to symbolize freedom from māyā.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a contemplative king and companion gazing into a bright forest clearing; delicate brushwork, airy light, refined faces, subtle glow in the landscape suggesting inner clarity, cool greens with gentle gold wash.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: king and companion in frontal grace, bold outlines, sacred grove behind with stylized leaves and blossoms; warm pigments and symmetrical composition, eyes large and calm to convey ‘no māyā-bhāva’.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: sanctified grove rendered as patterned floral space with a central clearing of light; king and companion at the margin, ornate borders, deep blues and golds with white floral motifs, devotional clarity expressed through symmetrical radiance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["silence between phrases","soft breeze","distant conch shell","gentle bell chime","faint birdsong"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No major sandhi beyond internal compounds: saukhyadam, māyābhāvam, janeśvara.
FAQs
It describes a sacred vision: the lord of men witnesses a holy, bliss-giving scene and is unaffected by māyā (illusion) while beholding a divine forest with a female companion.
Māyā is presented as an illusory condition that does not arise for him in that moment—suggesting clarity of perception in a sanctified, spiritually potent setting.
Association with the holy (puṇya) and contemplation of the divine can steady the mind, reducing susceptibility to भ्रम/मायाभाव (delusion) and fostering inner bliss.