Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 53
Karmic Causality, Fate, and the Supremacy of Food-Charity
within Guru-tīrtha Glorification
अन्नैकस्य प्रदानस्य फलं भुंक्ते भवेन्नरः । ग्रासाद्ग्रासं प्रदातव्यं मुष्टिप्रस्थं न संशयः
annaikasya pradānasya phalaṃ bhuṃkte bhavennaraḥ | grāsādgrāsaṃ pradātavyaṃ muṣṭiprasthaṃ na saṃśayaḥ
Seseorang menikmati buah pahala bahkan dari pemberian satu bagian makanan. Karena itu, berilah makanan suap demi suap—segenggam demi segenggam dan menurut takaran—tanpa keraguan.
Unspecified (narratorial instruction within the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa context; commonly framed in the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue in this khanda)
Concept: Even a single portion of food yields fruit; therefore give continuously—morsel by morsel—according to capacity, without hesitation.
Application: Set aside a small portion from each meal for someone else (guest, animal, needy); donate in micro-acts daily rather than waiting for large occasions.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A mother at a hearth pinches small morsels from a fresh pot of rice, placing them into a leaf-bowl for a hungry child and a wandering mendicant. The act repeats like a rhythmic pattern—each morsel turning into a tiny spark that rises and forms a luminous garland of merit above the courtyard.","primary_figures":["householder (giver)","mendicant/poor recipient","child or pilgrim","optional cow or dog receiving a morsel"],"setting":"simple kitchen courtyard with clay stove, grain jars, banana leaves, tulasi planter near the doorway","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["smoke gray","rice white","terracotta","leaf green","sunlit amber"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: domestic annadāna scene with repeated morsel-giving; gold leaf sparks rising from each morsel forming a halo-garland; rich reds/greens, ornate border, detailed brass vessels and lamps, a small framed Viṣṇu icon blessing the act.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tender household moment, delicate steam and fine textile patterns; soft hillside background; emphasis on hands pinching morsels; cool greens and warm ambers, lyrical realism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and stylized hearth; giver’s hands emphasized; rhythmic motif of small golden dots rising; red/yellow/green palette with temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: patterned repetition—morsels depicted as lotus-like dots; central giver framed by floral borders; peacocks and cows at the edges receiving food; deep blue ground with gold highlights and intricate vines."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["hearth crackle","soft clink of vessels","distant temple bell","sparrows in courtyard"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: annaikasya = anna + ekasya; grāsādgrāsaṃ = grāsāt + grāsam (t/d assimilation); muṣṭiprasthaṃ treated as karmadhāraya compound; bhavennaraḥ = bhavet + naraḥ (t + n → nn).
FAQs
It teaches that even a small act of giving food yields spiritual merit, so one should practice consistent, repeated food-giving—morsel by morsel—according to one’s capacity.
It emphasizes regularity and sincerity in charity: even small, continuous offerings of food are valuable and should not be postponed until one can give a large donation.
It promotes compassion and practical generosity—feeding others whenever possible—affirming that no gift of food is too small to matter.