Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 61
The Aśokasundarī–Nahuṣa Episode: Demon Stratagems, Protection by Merit, and Lineage Prophecy
अशोकसुंदर्युवाच । कदा ह्येष्यति मे भर्त्ता विहितो दैवतैर्यदि । सत्यं वद स्वधर्मज्ञ मम सौख्यं विवर्द्धय
aśokasuṃdaryuvāca | kadā hyeṣyati me bharttā vihito daivatairyadi | satyaṃ vada svadharmajña mama saukhyaṃ vivarddhaya
Aśokasundarī berkata: “Jika para dewa sungguh telah menetapkan seorang suami bagiku, kapankah suamiku akan datang? Katakanlah kebenaran, wahai yang mengetahui dharmamu, dan tambahkanlah kebahagiaanku.”
Aśokasundarī
Concept: Human longing seeks clarity; dharma includes truthful speech (satya) that steadies the heart and supports auspicious life decisions.
Application: Ask for guidance from trustworthy, duty-bound people; request truth gently and use it to cultivate steadiness rather than anxiety.
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Aśokasundarī stands poised yet vulnerable, hands folded as she questions the dharma-knowing messenger, her eyes bright with longing and restrained tears. The space around her feels charged with destiny—lotus petals scattered, as if the future spouse is already approaching in unseen steps.","primary_figures":["Aśokasundarī","dharma-knowing interlocutor (Vidvara implied by context)"],"setting":"garden pavilion with flowering aśoka trees, a small lotus pond, and a carved seat for the messenger","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["aśoka red-orange","leaf green","lotus pink","cream white","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Aśokasundarī in ornate silk with gold leaf highlights, hands in añjali, questioning a sage-like messenger; aśoka blossoms and lotus pond behind; gold leaf used for jewelry, borders, and a subtle aura of destiny; rich reds/greens with traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical garden scene under aśoka branches; Aśokasundarī’s refined face showing longing, the messenger calm and composed; delicate flora, soft pastel palette, gentle dappled light, thin precise lines.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized aśoka tree canopy, bold outlines; Aśokasundarī’s large expressive eyes, messenger in composed stance; warm reds and yellows with green background, ornamental borders and lotus motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central couple-like spacing without union yet—Aśokasundarī and messenger framed by lotus vines and floral borders; peacocks near the pond, deep blue accents with gold detailing, auspicious motifs suggesting forthcoming marriage."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Khamaj","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["birds in a garden","soft anklet chime","gentle mridanga pulse","breeze through leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अशोकसुंदर्युवाच = अशोकसुन्दरी + उवाच; ह्येष्यति = हि + एष्यति; दैवतैर्यदि = दैवतैः + यदि.
FAQs
She asks when the husband ordained for her by the gods will arrive, and requests a truthful answer from a dharma-knowing person.
It acknowledges divine ordination (daivataiḥ vihitaḥ) while still appealing to a person grounded in dharma (svadharmajña) to speak truthfully and act responsibly.
The verse upholds truth-speaking as a dharmic duty, especially when advising someone whose peace and well-being depend on honest counsel.