Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 8
The Account of Sukalā and the Greatness of Nārī-tīrtha
Wife-Assisted Śrāddha and Pitṛ-Liberation
स्वगृहं प्राप्य मेधावी दृष्ट्वा तां च पतिव्रताम् । सार्थवाहेन तेनापि स्वस्थानं प्राप्य बुद्धिमान्
svagṛhaṃ prāpya medhāvī dṛṣṭvā tāṃ ca pativratām | sārthavāhena tenāpi svasthānaṃ prāpya buddhimān
Parvenu à sa demeure, l’homme avisé la vit, elle, la pativratā, l’épouse fidèle à son vœu ; et ce chef de caravane aussi — plein de sagesse — regagna son propre lieu.
Narrator (context not provided to identify a named speaker)
Concept: Wisdom culminates in restoring rightful relationships and duties; the pativratā ideal is presented as a stabilizing spiritual force within the household.
Application: Value reconciliation and responsible return; cultivate trust and steadiness in relationships; let spiritual insight translate into dependable presence.
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A wise man steps into his courtyard after a long absence, dust of travel on his garments, and beholds his pativratā wife standing composed with a welcoming lamp and water vessel. In a parallel vignette, the caravan-leader returns to his own station, suggesting social order restored across households and livelihoods.","primary_figures":["Kṛkala (the intelligent man)","pativratā wife","caravan-leader (sārthavāha)"],"setting":"courtyard of a traditional home with threshold decorations, a small shrine niche, travel bundles set down; a second background scene of a caravan arriving at a resting place","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["marigold orange","lotus pink","turmeric yellow","teal green","warm umber"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: homecoming in a decorated courtyard—wife with āratī lamp welcoming her husband; gold leaf highlights on lamp flame, jewelry, and shrine; rich reds/greens, ornate borders, South Indian domestic auspicious motifs (kolam, mango leaves).","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tender domestic reunion with delicate architecture, soft textiles, and refined expressions; gentle dawn light, cool-teal shadows; include a distant caravan vignette with small figures and pack animals for narrative depth.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized couple at the threshold, lamp and water vessel prominent; bold outlines, natural pigments; decorative border with auspicious symbols; secondary caravan scene simplified in the background band.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: auspicious threshold scene framed by lotus and floral borders; deep blues and gold accents; incorporate peacocks near the courtyard and intricate textile patterns; devotional symmetry emphasizing the sanctity of homecoming."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["anklet chime","soft bell","courtyard birds","distant cart wheels"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वगृहं = स्व + गृहम्; तेनापि = तेन + अपि; स्वस्थानं = स्व + स्थानम्
FAQs
It describes two people returning to their respective homes/places: the intelligent man reaches his home and sees a devoted wife, and the caravan-leader also returns to his own place.
“Pativratā” denotes a wife steadfastly devoted to her husband, implying fidelity, moral discipline, and a dharmic ideal of marital commitment.
The verse subtly foregrounds dharmic household life—returning to one’s rightful place and recognizing virtue (pativratā-dharma) as a valued moral quality.