Padma Purana — Patala Khanda, Shloka 56
The Meeting with Puṣkala’s Wife
उवाच मतिमान्वीरः सर्वशोभासमन्वितः । रामाज्ञापय रक्षार्थं हयस्यानुज्ञया तव
uvāca matimānvīraḥ sarvaśobhāsamanvitaḥ | rāmājñāpaya rakṣārthaṃ hayasyānujñayā tava
सर्व शोभा से युक्त बुद्धिमान वीर बोला— “हे राम, घोड़े की रक्षा के लिए आपकी अनुमति से मुझे आज्ञा दीजिए।”
Unspecified ‘matimān vīraḥ’ (a wise hero) addressing Rāma
Concept: True heroism is disciplined obedience to righteous command, undertaken for protection of sacred duty (rakṣā of the yajña’s horse).
Application: Seek clarity of authority and purpose before acting; when entrusted with safeguarding something sacred (a project, a person, a vow), accept responsibility with humility and vigilance.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In the glowing yajña pavilion, the wise hero steps forward, one knee slightly bent in respectful readiness, addressing Rāma with a firm yet humble gaze. Behind them, the sacrificial horse stands adorned with garlands and a protective cloth, while sages watch in silent approval; the fire’s light casts moving gold across ritual vessels, making the moment feel both martial and holy.","primary_figures":["hero (matimān vīraḥ)","Rāma","sacrificial horse","sages/ṛtviks"],"setting":"yajña-maṇḍapa with fire altar, horse tethered nearby under ceremonial canopy, guards at the perimeter","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["flame gold","saffron","deep teal","ivory white","copper brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Rāma enthroned in consecration attire with gold leaf halo, the hero in ornate armor offering a respectful request, the sacrificial horse richly garlanded with gold accents, sages in symmetrical rows, fire altar blazing with gold leaf highlights, jewel-toned reds/greens and intricate borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant courtly-sacrificial scene with delicate faces and soft shading; Rāma serene, the hero poised and resolute, the horse adorned yet calm; pale pavilion architecture, gentle smoke curls, refined textile patterns, cool blues balanced with warm saffron firelight.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic Rāma with large eyes and stylized crown/attire, hero in bold outline posture of supplication, horse simplified with ceremonial markings, warm yellow background, red-green-black palette, ritual implements rendered as clear symbols around the fire altar.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central tableau of Rāma and the hero framed by lotus borders; the horse decorated with floral garlands, deep blue ground with gold highlights, peacocks and cows in the border as auspicious witnesses, intricate floral vines and conch motifs emphasizing sacred protection."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch blast","fire crackle","low Vedic drone","horse snort and bell","staff strike on stone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मतिमान्वीरः → मतिमान् वीरः (न् + व); रामाज्ञापय → राम आज्ञापय (a + ā); हयस्यानुज्ञया → हयस्य अनुज्ञया (a + a)
FAQs
The speaker asks Rāma to issue a clear command so he may undertake protective duty, specifically guarding the horse, with Rāma’s authorization.
It highlights disciplined service: even a capable hero acts within rightful authority, valuing obedience and accountability over impulsive action.
A royal horse can symbolize sovereignty and state-ritual integrity; guarding it represents protecting the king’s mandate, order, and dharmic governance.