Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 22
Yayāti and Mātali on the Order of Divine Worlds, the Merit of Śiva’s Name, and the Unity of Śiva and Viṣṇu
त्रयाणामंतरं नास्ति गुणभेदाः प्रकीर्तिताः । शिवभक्तोसि राजेंद्र तथा भागवतोसि वै
trayāṇāmaṃtaraṃ nāsti guṇabhedāḥ prakīrtitāḥ | śivabhaktosi rājeṃdra tathā bhāgavatosi vai
Di antara ketiganya tiada perbedaan yang sejati; perbedaan sifat hanya disebut-sebut. Wahai raja agung, engkau adalah bhakta Śiva, dan sungguh engkau juga bhakta Bhagavān (Viṣṇu).
Unspecified narrator/sage addressing a king (rājendra) in dialogue context
Concept: Differences among the three are only spoken of as guṇa-distinction; true devotion to Śiva is not opposed to devotion to Bhagavān.
Application: Avoid contempt for other devotees; practice ekāgratā (one-pointedness) while maintaining respect—use shared virtues (truthfulness, compassion, vrata-discipline) as the measure of devotion.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage addresses a crowned king in a quiet hermitage court, gesturing with open palm in reassurance. Behind them, faint visionary forms of Śiva and Viṣṇu appear like twin reflections in a single mirror, suggesting that the king’s Śaiva devotion naturally includes Bhagavān-bhakti.","primary_figures":["A teaching sage/narrator","A king (rājendra)","Vishnu (visionary)","Shiva (visionary)"],"setting":"Forest āśrama with kusa grass seats, sacrificial fire, and a small shrine; visionary deities in the sky as subtle apparitions.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","leaf green","smoke grey","lapis blue","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sage counseling a jeweled king seated respectfully; behind them a gold-leaf aura reveals Viṣṇu and Śiva as mirrored divine forms within one mandala; ornate pillars, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, stylized fire altar, heavy halo work and embossed gold detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate hermitage dialogue with delicate brushwork; king in muted royal attire listening humbly; translucent Viṣṇu-Śiva apparitions in the sky like watercolor clouds; cool greens and blues, refined facial features, lyrical trees and a small stream, subtle gold accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal sage and king with expressive eyes; bold outlines; background shows a single circular aureole containing both Viṣṇu and Śiva motifs; warm red/yellow/green palette, temple-wall border patterns, stylized flora and fire altar.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central dialogue scene framed by lotus vines; above, a shared lotus medallion holds symbolic emblems—conch/discus and trident—interwoven; deep blue ground with gold floral borders, intricate textile patterns on the king’s garments, devotional symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["crackling sacrificial fire","forest birds","soft hand cymbals","brief bell at verse end"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्रयाणामंतरम् = त्रयाणाम् + अन्तरम्; नास्ति = न + अस्ति; शिवभक्तोसि = शिवभक्तः + असि; भागवतोसि = भागवतः + असि; राजेंद्र = राजेन्द्र (अनुस्वार/विसर्ग-परिवर्तन लेखनभेद).
FAQs
It presents a harmonizing view: real separation is denied, and perceived differences are treated as merely described distinctions of qualities.
The addressee is a king (rājendra), praised as devoted to Śiva and also as a Bhāgavata—i.e., devoted to Bhagavān (commonly Viṣṇu).
It encourages inclusive devotion and respect across traditions, suggesting that sincere bhakti is not diminished by honoring more than one divine form.