Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 52
Pitṛ-tīrtha Context: Marks of Sin, Śrāddha Discipline, and Karmic Ripening
in Yayāti’s Narrative
ब्राह्मणं यः समाहूय याचमानमकिंचनम् । पश्चान्नास्तीति यो ब्रूयात्स च वै ब्रह्महा नृप
brāhmaṇaṃ yaḥ samāhūya yācamānamakiṃcanam | paścānnāstīti yo brūyātsa ca vai brahmahā nṛpa
Wahai raja, siapa memanggil seorang brāhmaṇa yang mengemis dan papa, lalu kemudian berkata, “Tidak ada (yang dapat diberikan),” sungguh ia adalah pembunuh brāhmaṇa.
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (nṛpa) within the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa dialogue context
Concept: Inviting a destitute brāhmaṇa and then refusing alms is a grave betrayal of dharma, equated with brahmahatyā in moral weight.
Application: Do not make performative promises of help; give according to capacity with truthful speech. If unable, speak honestly upfront and offer non-monetary support (food, water, guidance).
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A palace threshold becomes a moral stage: a weary, destitute brāhmaṇa stands with a begging bowl, eyes lowered yet dignified. A king’s attendant gestures him forward, but a wealthy householder turns away with a dismissive hand, while an unseen divine presence seems to darken the air as the refusal is spoken.","primary_figures":["destitute brāhmaṇa","wealthy householder (or courtier)","king (nṛpa) as witness","invisible Dharma/Viṣṇu presence suggested symbolically"],"setting":"royal court entrance with carved pillars, a small alms area, guards and courtiers watching; a faint lotus motif on pillars to hint Padma Purāṇa’s Vaishnava aura","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep maroon","burnished gold","ash white","indigo shadow","saffron ochre"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: palace-pillared threshold scene where a destitute brāhmaṇa with kamandalu and begging bowl is first beckoned and then refused; the king watches from a jeweled seat; heavy gold leaf halos and borders, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, stylized lotus motifs, moral tension conveyed through stern eyes and rigid gestures.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate court vignette with delicate brushwork—thin, dignified brāhmaṇa in simple white cloth; a proud donor figure turning away; the king seated under a canopy; cool architectural tones, lyrical realism, fine facial expressions, subtle shadowing to suggest the weight of adharma.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; brāhmaṇa rendered with serene yet pained eyes; the refuser shown with angular, harsh posture; palace pillars with lotus and conch motifs; red/yellow/green palette, temple-wall aesthetic emphasizing ethical drama.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Krishna-centered moral allegory—Śrī Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa implied via a small śālagrāma or conch-lotus emblem above the scene; ornate floral borders, lotus clusters, deep blues and gold; the brāhmaṇa at the threshold as a sacred guest, cows and peacocks in the margins to frame dharma of giving."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","low court murmur","conch shell","brief silence after the refusal"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: याचमानमकिंचनम् = याचमानम् + अकिञ्चनम्; पश्चान्नास्तीति = पश्चात् + न + अस्ति + इति; ब्रूयात्स = ब्रूयात् + सः.
FAQs
It condemns the act of summoning a destitute Brahmin who seeks alms and then dismissing him by falsely claiming that nothing is available to give.
The verse treats deliberate deception and humiliation of a needy Brahmin—after inviting him with the expectation of support—as a grave moral offense, comparable in severity to brahma-hatyā.
Do not invite or encourage a supplicant unless you intend to give; if you cannot give, respond honestly and respectfully rather than misleading or dishonoring the person.