Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 15
The Account of Sukalā (within the Vena Episode): Truth-Power and the Testing of a Devoted Wife
पश्यामि ते पौरुषमुग्रवीर्यमितो हि गत्वा तु धनुष्मता वै । तेनापि सार्धं प्रजगाम भूयो रत्या च दूत्या च पतिव्रतां ताम्
paśyāmi te pauruṣamugravīryamito hi gatvā tu dhanuṣmatā vai | tenāpi sārdhaṃ prajagāma bhūyo ratyā ca dūtyā ca pativratāṃ tām
നിന്റെ പൗരുഷം—നിന്റെ ഉഗ്രവീര്യം—ഞാൻ കാണുന്നു. ഇവിടെ നിന്ന് ആ ധനുർധരനോടൊപ്പം പോയി, അവൾ വീണ്ടും അവനോടൊപ്പം തന്നെ രതിയും ദൂതിയും ചേർന്ന് ആ പതിവ്രതയുടെ അടുക്കൽ ചെന്നു.
Unspecified (context needed from surrounding verses in Bhūmi-khaṇḍa 2.54)
Concept: True heroism is allied with protection of the faithful and support of dharmic resolve; companionship in righteousness strengthens vows.
Application: Stand by those who keep their vows; be a trustworthy companion in difficult journeys; let courage serve protection, not domination.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A bow-bearing hero leads the way along a forest path, while Rati and a discreet female messenger flank a veiled pativrata woman, forming a protective moving circle. The woman’s calm gaze and composed posture contrast with the alert readiness of the escort, as if dharma itself walks with them.","primary_figures":["bowman (hero/escort)","Rati","female messenger (dūti)","virtuous woman (pativrata)"],"setting":"Forest path transitioning toward a settlement or palace gate; flowering trees, distant temple spire, dust motes in the air.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["honey gold","forest green","rose pink","earth brown","sky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: procession scene with the bowman in ornate armor, Rati richly adorned, the dūti attentive, and the pativrata modest yet radiant; gold leaf highlights on jewelry and halos; rich red-green textiles, embossed borders, temple-gopuram silhouette in background.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate travel tableau through a lyrical forest; refined faces and gentle gestures; soft dawn sky, detailed foliage, subtle textiles; cool greens and warm golds with fine brushwork and Himalayan-like distant ridges.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized procession with bold outlines; the bowman’s dynamic stance, Rati’s graceful posture, the dūti’s watchful eyes, the pativrata’s serene aura; natural pigments, temple-wall aesthetic, decorative floral bands framing the path.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: processional composition framed by lotus and creeper borders; peacocks perched on branches; Rati rendered with ornate patterns; the pativrata centered as a calm axis; deep blue accents with gold and pink floral motifs, intricate textile-like detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["footsteps on path","birds at dawn","soft anklet chime","distant temple bell","rustling leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पौरुषमुग्रवीर्यम् = पौरुषम् + उग्रवीर्यम्; तेनापि = तेन + अपि.
FAQs
This single verse does not name the speaker; identifying it reliably requires the surrounding verses of Bhūmi-khaṇḍa, Adhyāya 54.
“Pativratā” denotes a woman renowned for fidelity and religious devotion centered on loyalty to her husband, a common ethical ideal in Purāṇic dharma narratives.
The verse frames a coordinated movement or mission: Rati and a dūtī accompany the party, suggesting assistance, mediation, or facilitation within the episode’s plot.