Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 25
The Glory of the Mother-and-Father Tīrtha
Within the Vena Episode
देवा ऊचुः । पितृभक्तोसि विप्रेंद्र भक्त्या तव वयं द्विज । सुकर्मञ्छ्रूयतां वाक्यं प्रीत्या युक्ता सदैव ते
devā ūcuḥ | pitṛbhaktosi vipreṃdra bhaktyā tava vayaṃ dvija | sukarmañchrūyatāṃ vākyaṃ prītyā yuktā sadaiva te
ദേവന്മാർ പറഞ്ഞു—ഹേ വിപ്രേന്ദ്രാ, നീ പിതൃഭക്തനാണ്. ഹേ ദ്വിജാ, നിന്റെ ഭക്തിയാൽ ഞങ്ങൾ എപ്പോഴും നിനക്കു പ്രസന്നരാണ്. അതുകൊണ്ട് സ്നേഹസഹിതമായ ഞങ്ങളുടെ വാക്കുകൾ കേൾക്കുക—അവ നിത്യവും നിന്റെ ഹിതത്തിനായാണ്.
The Devas (gods), speaking to a brāhmaṇa addressed as viprendra/dvija
Concept: The devas praise devotion to parents/ancestors as a high virtue and respond with affectionate instruction, implying that dharma attracts divine favor.
Application: Treat care for parents/elders and remembrance of ancestors as part of spiritual life; listen to guidance with goodwill rather than defensiveness.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The devas speak with visible warmth, their faces softened by affection as they commend the brāhmaṇa’s pitṛ-bhakti. The brāhmaṇa listens attentively, hands folded, as if receiving not merely praise but a sacred charter of dharma.","primary_figures":["devas (collective)","viprendra/dvija (brāhmaṇa)"],"setting":"Celestial-tinged hermitage space: a simple earthly foreground with a luminous deva assembly hovering above, suggesting heaven touching earth.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["honey gold","cloud white","royal blue","vermillion","sage green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: devas in a radiant arc with gold-leaf halos address the brāhmaṇa; the brāhmaṇa stands centered, attentive; ornate gold embossing on crowns and halos, rich red-green drapery, lotus and vine borders, affectionate expressions emphasized with traditional iconographic clarity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle conversational scene—devas poised in the sky, the brāhmaṇa below listening; soft dawn palette, delicate linework, refined faces, a quiet āśrama with trees and a small altar, lyrical calm and moral gravity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal deva group with bold outlines and stylized ornaments; brāhmaṇa in white with red border; warm yellow background, green foliage band, red accents; the devas’ blessing and speaking gestures rendered in iconic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical composition with floral borders; devas above in decorative arch, brāhmaṇa below; deep blue field with gold highlights, lotus motifs, peacocks at corners, intricate textile patterns emphasizing ‘praise of dharma’ as devotional art."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft celestial drone","rustle of sacred leaves","gentle conch punctuation at ‘devā ūcuḥ’"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: pitṛbhaktosi → pitṛ-bhaktaḥ + asi; vipreṃdra → vipra-indra; sukarmañchrūyatāṃ → su-karman + śrūyatām (anusvāra before ś); sadaiva → sadā + eva.
FAQs
It teaches that devotion to the Pitṛs (ancestors) is a powerful form of dharma that earns divine goodwill, making the gods inclined to guide and bless the practitioner.
Bhakti here is expressed as faithful reverence and service toward the Pitṛs; the verse links sincere devotion (bhaktyā) with divine favor and affectionate instruction.
Righteous conduct and gratitude toward one’s lineage (pitṛ-bhakti), along with humility and attentiveness to wise counsel (“listen to our words”), are presented as virtues that invite higher guidance.