Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 9
Episode of Vena: The Power of Association and Revā (Narmadā) Tīrtha
पुण्यां गतिं प्रयान्त्येते निर्द्धूताशेष कल्मषाः । ऋषय ऊचुः । तत्कथं यांति ते पापाः परां सिद्धिं द्विजोत्तम
puṇyāṃ gatiṃ prayāntyete nirddhūtāśeṣa kalmaṣāḥ | ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | tatkathaṃ yāṃti te pāpāḥ parāṃ siddhiṃ dvijottama
वे समस्त शेष कल्मषों को झाड़कर पुण्यमयी गति को प्राप्त होते हैं। ऋषियों ने कहा—“तो वे पापी परम सिद्धि को कैसे पाते हैं, हे द्विजोत्तम?”
Ṛṣis (sages)
Concept: Even those burdened with pāpa can attain parā-siddhi once impurities are shaken off—suggesting grace mediated through right means (tīrtha, vrata, bhakti).
Application: Do not despair over past mistakes; seek a structured path—confession, repentance, satsang, tīrtha-sevā, and steady devotional practice—to ‘shake off’ residues.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circle of forest-dwelling ṛṣis sits around a learned brāhmaṇa teacher near a sacred fire. Above them, a faint vision shows a soul shedding dark dust and rising toward a luminous Vaikuṇṭha-like horizon, capturing the sages’ wonder: ‘How can sinners reach perfection?’","primary_figures":["Ṛṣis (sages)","brāhmaṇa teacher (dvijottama)","symbolic ascending purified soul"],"setting":"Hermitage with yajña-kuṇḍa, kusa grass seats, palm-leaf manuscripts, and distant river glimmer.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["smoke gray","fire amber","forest green","sky pale blue","sandalwood brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sages with gold-leaf accents on sacred thread and ornaments, seated around a blazing homa fire; the teacher at center with a manuscript; above, a gold-leaf luminous realm with a small ascending figure shedding dark motifs; ornate border with lotus and chakra patterns.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: quiet āśrama scene with refined sage faces, delicate firelight, and a translucent vision-cloud showing ascent to a celestial realm; cool greens and blues, gentle narrative clarity, fine textile patterns on seats.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic sages with bold outlines around a stylized fire altar; the question rendered through expressive hand gestures; a symbolic purified soul rising in a circular aura; traditional pigment palette and temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: sages arranged symmetrically around a central flame; above, a Vaikuṇṭha mandala with lotus motifs; intricate floral borders, deep blue background, gold highlights; the theme of redemption shown as dark clouds turning into garlands."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling sacred fire","soft chanting undertone","forest birds","page rustle of palm leaves","brief pause before the question"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रयान्ति+एते→प्रयान्त्येते; निर्द्धूत+अशेष+कल्मषाः→निर्द्धूताशेष कल्मषाः (पाठे पदच्छेदः ‘निर्द्धूताशेष-कल्मषाः’); ऋषयः+ऊचुः→ऋषय ऊचुः; तत्+कथं→तत्कथं.
FAQs
They question the apparent paradox of how people labeled “pāpāḥ” (sinners) can still attain “parā siddhi” (the highest spiritual attainment), implying a doctrine of purification, grace, or transformative practice.
It implies that attainment of a blessed goal is linked to complete cleansing of impurities—suggesting that even grave wrongdoing can be overcome when all defilements are fully removed.
Moral failure is not presented as final; the verse points toward the possibility of reform and purification, while still treating spiritual perfection as something that requires thorough inner cleansing.