Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 50
The Deeds of Sukalā (Vena Episode): Husband as Tīrtha & Pativratā-Dharma
ततस्त्वं कारणं ब्रूहि दुःखस्यास्य वरानने । सुकलोवाच । स मां त्यक्त्वा गतो भर्ता धर्मार्थं धर्मतत्परः
tatastvaṃ kāraṇaṃ brūhi duḥkhasyāsya varānane | sukalovāca | sa māṃ tyaktvā gato bhartā dharmārthaṃ dharmatatparaḥ
“तो फिर, हे सुन्दर मुखवाली, इस दुःख का कारण बताओ।” सुकला बोली— “धर्म में तत्पर मेरे पति धर्म के ही हेतु मुझे छोड़कर चले गए।”
Sukalā (responding in a dialogue; interlocutor not named in the provided excerpt)
Concept: Dharma can demand separation; the pain of those left behind is real and must be integrated into righteous action through compassion and proper counsel.
Application: If duty requires absence, communicate, provide support, and anchor the household in shared spiritual practice (daily pūjā, Ekādaśī observance, charity) so dharma does not become cruelty.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Sukalā speaks through tears, one hand pressed to her chest, the other gesturing toward the road her husband took. Behind her, friends listen intently; in the far distance, a lone traveler silhouette suggests the husband’s dharma-bound departure.","primary_figures":["Sukalā","Sukalā’s friends","Husband (distant silhouette, optional)"],"setting":"A village edge with a visible road leading to a forest or pilgrimage route; a small household shrine near the doorway hints at dharma and devotion.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["saffron","sky blue","soft gold","clay brown","forest green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Sukalā in the foreground explaining her sorrow to attentive friends; a distant figure on a pilgrimage road; gold leaf radiance around a small Viṣṇu shrine at the doorway, rich reds and greens, ornate jewelry on the friends, embossed decorative borders emphasizing dharma and devotion.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: conversational scene with subtle gestures and refined expressions; a winding road into blue-green hills, delicate brushwork on textiles, soft atmospheric perspective, a small shrine niche painted with lyrical restraint, emphasizing emotional truth.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Sukalā’s expressive eyes and hand gestures dominate; friends in stylized profile; the road rendered as a symbolic band leading outward, warm red/ochre/green pigments, temple-wall narrative clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central dialogue scene framed by lotus and vine borders; a small Viṣṇu emblem (śaṅkha-cakra) subtly integrated into the border, deep blue and gold accents, peacocks facing the departing road motif, intricate floral detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Kafi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft mridangam pulse","footsteps fading","gentle temple bell","breeze through leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ततस्त्वम् = ततः + त्वम्; दुःखस्यास्य = दुःखस्य + अस्य; सुकलोवाच = सुकला + उवाच; धर्मार्थम् = धर्म + अर्थम्
FAQs
It frames a dialogue about the cause of suffering, with Sukalā explaining that her sorrow comes from separation: her husband has departed, prioritizing dharma.
It depicts dharma as a compelling duty that can override personal and marital attachment, showing the tension between righteous obligation and emotional pain.
The explicit speaker marker “Sukalovāca” indicates that Sukalā is speaking; the person asking her to explain the sorrow is not identified in the excerpt provided.