Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 9
Yayāti Ensnared by Desire: Gandharva Marriage, Aśvamedha, and the Demand to See the Worlds
बहुधर्मसमोपेतं चारुलक्षणसंयुतम् । राजोवाच । अन्य भार्यां न विंदामि त्वां विना वरवर्णिनि
bahudharmasamopetaṃ cārulakṣaṇasaṃyutam | rājovāca | anya bhāryāṃ na viṃdāmi tvāṃ vinā varavarṇini
राजा बोला—हे उत्तम वर्णवाली, अनेक धर्मगुणों और शुभ लक्षणों से युक्त सुंदरी, तुम्हारे बिना मैं किसी अन्य पत्नी को नहीं चाहता।
The King (Rājā)
Concept: Marital exclusivity grounded in virtue (dharma) and auspicious character is upheld as a stabilizing ethical choice.
Application: Choose relationships based on character and shared values; let commitment be guided by dharma rather than impulse.
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The king, composed yet visibly moved, addresses the noble woman with reverent admiration. She stands with modest poise, adorned with auspicious ornaments, while the court’s atmosphere softens into a moment of intimate vow amid public ceremony.","primary_figures":["the king (Rājā)","the woman addressed (varavarṇinī)","attendants/courtiers"],"setting":"royal audience hall with a marriage pavilion hinted by garlands and ritual vessels","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["lotus pink","saffron gold","pearl white","royal blue","fresh jasmine green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the king offering a vow of exclusive marriage to a virtuous bride; gold leaf on crowns, necklaces, and arch; rich reds/greens; stylized garlands and ritual kalasha; the bride’s serene face with gem-studded ornaments and silk sari patterns.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a tender courtly exchange under a canopy; delicate brushwork, refined expressions, soft pinks and blues; floral garlands and a small ritual fire in the corner; lyrical naturalism with subtle shading.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal, iconic figures with bold outlines; the king’s hand raised in declaration; the bride’s modest stance; warm red-yellow-green palette; ornamental borders with lotus motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a vow scene framed by lotus vines and peacocks; deep indigo ground with gold detailing; textiles patterned with conch-chakra motifs to hint Vaishnava sanctity; intricate floral border like Nathdwara hangings."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft veena drone","gentle ankle-bell shimmer","distant conch","hushed court silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: बहुधर्मसमोपेतम् = बहु+धर्म+सम्+उपेतम् (समास/सन्धि); चारुलक्षणसंयुतम् = चारु+लक्षण+संयुतम्; राजोवाच = राजा+उवाच (आ+उ → ओ); वरवर्णिनि = वर+वर्णिनि (कर्मधारय)
FAQs
The speaker is explicitly marked by “rājovāca” (“the king said”), indicating a line of dialogue spoken by a king.
The verse emphasizes marital fidelity and exclusive commitment—he declares he will not accept or seek another wife apart from her.
They praise her as possessing many virtues (dharma/qualities of character) and auspicious, beautiful traits or marks—both moral and aesthetic excellence.