Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 47
The Tale of Sukalā: Testing Pativratā Fidelity and the Body-as-House Teaching
संप्राप्ते वार्द्धके देवि किंचित्कार्यं न सिध्यति । स्थविरश्चिंतयेन्नित्यं सुखकार्यं न गच्छति
saṃprāpte vārddhake devi kiṃcitkāryaṃ na sidhyati | sthaviraściṃtayennityaṃ sukhakāryaṃ na gacchati
Wahai Dewi, ketika usia tua telah tiba, hampir tiada pekerjaan yang berhasil. Orang lanjut usia senantiasa diliputi cemas dan tidak melangkah menuju laku yang menyenangkan dan menenteramkan.
Uncertain from single-verse context (likely a male narrator addressing Devī/Parvatī in a Mahādeva–Pārvatī dialogue)
Concept: Old age brings diminished capacity and increased worry; therefore, do meaningful duties and spiritual practice earlier.
Application: Create a sustainable daily sādhana now (tulasi watering, nāma-japa, ekādaśī discipline, charity) so it continues even when strength wanes.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An elderly devotee sits on a low veranda, hands trembling over prayer beads, while thought-forms of unfinished tasks swirl like dark clouds above his head. Behind him, a younger self is shown faintly in a mirror-like panel, suggesting the lost opportunity to establish dharma earlier.","primary_figures":["elderly devotee (generic)","subtle personification of Chintā (worry) as a shadowy aura"],"setting":"courtyard of a modest home with a small tulasi platform and a distant temple spire","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["smoky violet","warm ochre","lamp-gold","leaf green","charcoal black"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: an aged devotee seated near a tulasi maṇḍapa and a small Vishnu lamp, ornate gold leaf highlighting the lamp flame and temple spire; rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments on the shrine, a stylized dark cloud of worry above the head rendered with decorative motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate depiction of an old man with japa-mālā in a quiet courtyard, tulasi plant nearby, distant temple; cool muted palette, lyrical naturalism, refined facial features, soft hills and sky, a faint translucent overlay of swirling ‘worry’ forms.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines—elderly figure with large expressive eyes, tulasi platform and lamp, stylized chintā-cloud motifs; natural pigments with red/yellow/green dominance, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central tulasi platform and lamp as devotional anchor, elderly devotee seated in reverence; ornate floral borders, lotus and vine motifs, deep blue background with gold highlights, peacocks subdued, mood of quiet admonition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft mridang-like pulse","temple bells","wind through leaves","distant chanting","brief silence after key words"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: किंचित् + कार्यम् → किंचित्कार्यम्; स्थविरः + चिन्तयेत् → स्थविरश्चिंतयेत् (विसर्ग-सन्धि)
FAQs
It highlights the limitations that come with old age—reduced capacity to accomplish tasks and an increase in worry—encouraging timely, purposeful living and detachment.
“Devī” signals a dialogic setting where the speaker is addressing the Goddess (often Pārvatī), a common Purāṇic framing for moral and philosophical instruction.
Do not postpone dharma, duties, and spiritual practice; time brings decline, and anxiety can obstruct well-being—so act while strength and clarity remain.