Padma Purana — Patala Khanda, Shloka 61
Glory of Nīla Mountain and the Prelude to King Ratnagrīva’s Legend
सुखोपविष्टं विश्रांतं पप्रच्छ विदितं द्विजम् । स्वामिंस्त्वद्दर्शनान्मेऽद्य गतं देहस्य पातकम्
sukhopaviṣṭaṃ viśrāṃtaṃ papraccha viditaṃ dvijam | svāmiṃstvaddarśanānme'dya gataṃ dehasya pātakam
आराम से बैठे और विश्रांत, विद्वान् द्विज को देखकर उसने पूछा—“स्वामी! आज आपके दर्शन से मेरे शरीर से जुड़ा पाप दूर हो गया है।”
An unnamed questioner/devotee addressing a learned brāhmaṇa (dvija)
Concept: Sat-darśana (seeing the saintly) is purifying; reverent contact with the virtuous loosens embodied sin (deha-pātaka).
Application: Seek uplifting company; cultivate reverence and receptivity; let gratitude replace cynicism when meeting genuine goodness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The brāhmaṇa rests on a simple seat, staff beside him, while the questioner kneels with folded hands, eyes moist with relief. The air feels cleansed—incense smoke rises like a visible metaphor for sins dissolving into stillness.","primary_figures":["learned brāhmaṇa (dvija)","questioner/devotee (likely the king)","attendants in the background"],"setting":"quiet corner of the sabhā transformed into a makeshift āśrama-space with kusa mat, water pot, and a low lamp","lighting_mood":"soft divine radiance, as if the saint’s presence brightens the room","color_palette":["soft saffron","warm ivory","smoke gray","lapis blue","copper brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the dvija seated calmly on a low pedestal with a subtle gold aura; the king/devotee kneels and speaks with folded hands; gold leaf highlights on the lamp flame and halo, rich textile patterns, ornate yet devotional court setting softened into sanctity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate dialogue scene with delicate expressions—tear-bright eyes of the devotee, serene half-smile of the sage; muted palette, fine detailing of kusa mat and water pot, gentle interior light.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal seated sage with stylized eyes, devotee in respectful posture; bold outlines, warm pigments, minimal background symbols (lamp, staff) emphasizing purity and darśana.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central seated sage framed by lotus borders; the devotee kneels amid floral motifs; subtle symbolic waves and lotuses suggest inner cleansing; deep blue ground with gold and white highlights."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["gentle temple bell","soft silence between phrases","low tanpura drone","faint water trickle"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सुखोपविष्टम् = सुख + उपविष्टम्; स्वामिंस्त्वद्दर्शनान्मेऽद्य = स्वामिन् + तत्-दर्शनात् + मे + अद्य (त्वद्-रूपेण संबोधनार्थे ‘तत्’ का प्रयोग/पाठभेद सम्भव: त्वद्-दर्शनात्); मेऽद्य = मे + अद्य.
FAQs
It states that merely having darśana (meeting/seeing) a learned and spiritually respected brāhmaṇa can remove one’s pāpa (sin), emphasizing the purifying power of satsaṅga.
“Dvija” literally means “twice-born,” a traditional epithet for members of the three higher varṇas, especially brāhmaṇas; in Purāṇic usage it often highlights Vedic learning and ritual-spiritual authority.
The verse encourages humility and reverence toward the wise, suggesting that honoring and approaching the learned with sincerity leads to inner purification and moral transformation.