Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 28
The Nature of Knowledge, the Guru as Living Tīrtha, and the Law of Final Remembrance
पुष्पार्थं फलभोगार्थं गतोहं वनमेव च । नीतः शुको बिडालेन मम दुःखस्य हेतवे
puṣpārthaṃ phalabhogārthaṃ gatohaṃ vanameva ca | nītaḥ śuko biḍālena mama duḥkhasya hetave
ಪುಷ್ಪಾರ್ಥವೂ ಫಲಭೋಗಾರ್ಥವೂ ನಾನು ಅರಣ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋದೆನು; ಆದರೆ ಬೆಕ್ಕು ಶುಕಪಕ್ಷಿಯನ್ನು ಕೊಂಡೊಯ್ದಿತು—ಅದೇ ನನ್ನ ದುಃಖಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾರಣವಾಯಿತು.
Unspecified (a first-person narrator within the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa narrative)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: forest
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गतोहं = गतः + अहम्; वनमेव = वनम् + एव; पुष्पार्थं/फलभोगार्थं are purpose-accusatives; passive sense: नीतः ... बिडालेन (agent/instrumental).
FAQs
It contrasts simple intentions (gathering flowers, enjoying fruit) with unexpected suffering, highlighting human vulnerability and the sudden arrival of grief.
Yes. It suggests that sorrow can arise from unforeseen events, encouraging detachment, vigilance, and reflection on causes and consequences beyond one’s immediate plans.
The verse is in first person, but this excerpt alone does not identify the speaker; the surrounding verses in Adhyaya 123 would be needed to attribute it confidently.