Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 30
The Account of King Yayāti: Kāmasaras, Rati’s Tears, and the Birth of Aśrubindumatī
within the Mātā–Pitṛ Tīrtha Narrative
पुनश्चिंतां समापेदे ययातिः पृथिवीपतिः । यो वै मृगो मया दृष्टश्चतुःशृंगः सुवर्णकः
punaściṃtāṃ samāpede yayātiḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ | yo vai mṛgo mayā dṛṣṭaścatuḥśṛṃgaḥ suvarṇakaḥ
तब पृथ्वीपति राजा ययाति फिर चिंता में पड़ गए—“जो मृग मैंने देखा था, वह निश्चय ही चार सींगों वाला और स्वर्णमय था।”
Narrator (describing King Yayāti’s reaction)
Concept: Extraordinary signs provoke self-examination; anxiety can be redirected into dharmic action once the omen is interpreted rightly.
Application: When confronted with disturbing signs, avoid paranoia; seek wise counsel, perform purifying acts (dāna, japa), and choose ethical governance.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"King Yayāti sits apart from his retinue, brow furrowed, fingers pressed to his temple as he replays the vision of a deer: radiant gold hide, four horns branching like a strange crown, eyes gleaming with unearthly intelligence. In the background, the forest seems too still, as if the omen has quieted even the birds.","primary_figures":["King Yayāti","four-horned golden deer (adbhuta mṛga)"],"setting":"forest clearing near a royal hunting trail; scattered arrows and a halted chariot at a distance; dust motes suspended","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["molten gold","dark teak brown","moss green","burnt umber","pale saffron"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Yayāti in regal attire seated in anxious contemplation, the four-horned golden deer depicted with gold leaf body and embossed horn details, ornate forest motifs, rich reds/greens, gem-like highlights, symmetrical composition emphasizing the omen’s centrality.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical forest with fine foliage, Yayāti thoughtful and tense, the golden deer luminous yet delicately rendered, cool shadows and warm highlights, refined facial expressions, a sense of uncanny stillness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized deer with exaggerated four horns and patterned golden body, Yayāti with expressive eyes and strong outlines, earthy pigments, decorative forest backdrop, dramatic posture conveying worry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central golden deer with ornate horn patterns framed by floral borders, Yayāti to one side in contemplative pose, deep blue-green background with gold accents, peacocks and lotuses subtly echoing the ‘adbhuta’ mood."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low drum pulse","forest silence","distant conch","soft rustle of leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: punaściṃtām = punaḥ + cintām; dṛṣṭaścatuḥśṛṅgaḥ = dṛṣṭaḥ + catuḥśṛṅgaḥ.
FAQs
King Yayāti is described as again falling into concern or anxious reflection (cintā).
A deer (mṛga) that is described as four-horned (catuḥśṛṅga) and golden (suvarṇaka).
It highlights a moment of wonder and uncertainty in a king’s mind, often used in Purāṇas to signal an omen, a test, or the beginning of a consequential decision.