Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 15
The Account of Sukalā: Chastity Overcomes Kāma and an Indra-like Trial
सूत उवाच । वदंत्यौ ते स्त्रियौ दृष्ट्वा श्रुत्वोवाच सुभाषितम् । रतिं प्रतिगृहीत्वा मे गतो भर्त्ता महामतिः
sūta uvāca | vadaṃtyau te striyau dṛṣṭvā śrutvovāca subhāṣitam | ratiṃ pratigṛhītvā me gato bharttā mahāmatiḥ
सूत बोले—उन दोनों स्त्रियों को बोलते हुए देखकर और उनके सुभाषित वचन सुनकर उसने उत्तर दिया। मेरी रति (प्रेम) को स्वीकार करके मेरे पति—महामति—वहाँ से प्रस्थान कर गए।
Sūta
Concept: Gentle, well-spoken words (subhāṣita) guide relationships through transitions; love can be affirmed even when duty requires departure.
Application: In moments of separation or change, speak clearly and kindly; affirm commitment without clinging or harshness.
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Two women stand in close conversation, their gestures animated yet restrained, while a noble husband listens with composed attention. He replies with measured grace, accepts the offered affection, and turns to depart—his silhouette framed by a doorway as the wife’s gaze lingers in quiet ache.","primary_figures":["Sūta (narrator presence implied)","the husband (mahāmati)","two women speakers"],"setting":"A palace corridor or courtyard with carved pillars, a threshold leading to the outside road, and a few attendants at a respectful distance.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm sandalwood","vermillion","ivory","smoky blue","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: palace courtyard with ornate pillars; the husband in regal attire accepts a garland or token of love, then steps toward an arched exit; the two women in rich saris exchange glances; gold leaf highlights on jewelry, borders, and halo-like backplates; deep reds and greens with gem-like detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard scene with delicate architecture and flowering vines; subtle facial expressions—listening, gentle reply, restrained sorrow; soft pastel garments, cool shadows, and a lyrical sense of departure along a garden path.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized figures with expressive eyes; the husband’s poised stance and the women’s modest gestures emphasized by bold outlines; warm ochres and reds, green foliage bands, and lamp motifs along the corridor.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative floral borders and lotus motifs framing a domestic scene; symmetrical composition with the departing figure centered; deep indigo background with gold accents, peacocks perched on parapets, and intricate textile patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["anklet chimes","soft veena phrases","courtyard birds","distant conch (faint)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्रुत्वा+उवाच→श्रुत्वोवाच (आ+उ→ओ); भर्त्ता (भर्तृ-शब्दस्य प्रथमा एकवचन रूपम्).
FAQs
The speaker is Sūta, presenting the episode in a narrated, dialogue-driven style typical of Purāṇic storytelling.
It highlights attentive listening and responding with measured, well-spoken words (subhāṣita), suggesting restraint and clarity in conversation.
Here “rati” primarily conveys love/affection (and by extension conjugal attachment), indicating an intimate bond that is acknowledged before the husband’s departure.