Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 30
The Tale of Kāmodā and Vihuṇḍa: Tear-Born Lotuses on the Gaṅgā and the Ethics of Worship
देवी ब्राह्मणरूपेण तमुवाच महामते । को भवान्पूजयेद्देवं शोकाकुलमनाः सदा
devī brāhmaṇarūpeṇa tamuvāca mahāmate | ko bhavānpūjayeddevaṃ śokākulamanāḥ sadā
ದೇವಿಯು ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣರೂಪವನ್ನು ಧರಿಸಿ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದಳು— “ಹೇ ಮಹಾಮತೇ, ಸದಾ ಶೋಕಾಕುಲಮನಸ್ಸಿನಿಂದಿರುವವನು ದೇವರನ್ನು ಯಾರು ಪೂಜಿಸಬಲ್ಲನು?”
Devī (the Goddess), in a brāhmaṇa form
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: temple
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तम्+उवाच→तमुवाच; भवान्+पूजयेत्→भवान्पूजयेत् (न्+प→न्प); पूजयेत्+देवम्→पूजयेद्देवं (त्+द→द्द) ; शोक+आकुल+मनाः→शोकाकुलमनाः
FAQs
The brāhmaṇa form functions as a dharmic, instructive disguise—allowing Devī to counsel the listener with moral authority and to test or redirect the devotee’s mindset.
It implies that worship is not merely external ritual; persistent grief and mental agitation obstruct steady devotion. The verse points toward cultivating composure and faith as part of true pūjā.
It teaches self-examination: before performing religious acts, one should address the causes of despair, seek right understanding, and approach worship with sincerity, steadiness, and a purified intention.