Shloka 58
The Bhīma-Dvādaśī
Kalyāṇinī) Vow and the Anangadāna-Vrata (with a Courtesan-Conduct Discourse
भुक्त्वा चाक्षारलवणमात्मना च विसर्जयेत् । अनुगम्य पदान्यष्टौ पुत्रभार्यासमन्वितः
bhuktvā cākṣāralavaṇamātmanā ca visarjayet | anugamya padānyaṣṭau putrabhāryāsamanvitaḥ
ക്ഷാര‑ലവണ മിശ്രിതം ഭുജിച്ച്, സ്വന്തം ഇച്ഛയാൽ തന്നെ ദേഹം ഉപേക്ഷിക്കണം; പുത്രനും ഭാര്യയും കൂടെ എട്ട് പടികൾ മുന്നോട്ട് നീങ്ങി അനുഗമിക്കണം।
Unclear from single-verse excerpt (context needed from surrounding verses of Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa 23).
Concept: A regulated, intentional relinquishing of the body (icchā-mṛtyu / voluntary departure) is framed as a dharmic act when performed with ritual propriety and detachment.
Application: Contemplate mortality to reduce clinging; keep one’s affairs and relationships dharmically ordered; cultivate remembrance of God so the final transition is calm and intentional.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solemn figure, having completed rites, sits composed and inwardly steady, holding a small bowl of alkaline-salt mixture as a final ritual act. His wife and son stand close, tearful yet restrained, as he rises and takes eight measured steps forward—each step marked by a faint lotus-like imprint on the ground, suggesting a sacred passage.","primary_figures":["vow-observer (departing householder/ascetic)","son","wife"],"setting":"quiet ritual enclosure with kusa grass, a small fire altar, and a cleared path for the eight steps","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["ash gray","deep indigo","pale sandalwood","soft white","copper"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the departing figure in calm profile taking measured steps, family behind; gold leaf halo-like accents to indicate spiritual resolve; rich maroon and green borders, stylized altar elements, ornate yet restrained expressions, traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: poignant, intimate farewell with delicate facial emotion; cool night palette, thin white outlines; eight small step-marks along a path; sparse trees and a quiet sky, lyrical restraint and psychological depth.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized eyes conveying gravity; the figure stepping forward with ritual objects nearby; strong red/yellow/green accents against dark background, temple-wall austerity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic rendering of the eight steps as lotus motifs; deep blue ground with gold floral borders; the human figures simplified, emphasizing the sacred transition and devotional surrender rather than realism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["deep silence","low temple bell","distant conch","soft wind","faint crackle of ritual fire"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाक्षारलवणम् = च + अक्षारलवणम्. अक्षारलवणम् treated as द्वन्द्व. लवणमात्मना = लवणम् + आत्मना. पदान्यष्टौ = पदानि + अष्टौ. पुत्रभार्यासमन्वितः = पुत्र-भार्या-समन्वितः (समास).
FAQs
It describes a ritual act where a person consumes an alkaline-salt preparation and then voluntarily relinquishes the body, suggesting a formalized, text-guided death-related observance.
The verse literally says “eight steps”; without adjacent verses, it is best read as a prescribed ritual measure (a fixed number of steps) marking a transition in the rite.
No. The Padma Purana often frames teachings within dialogues (e.g., sages and kings/deities), but identifying the speaker requires the surrounding context of Adhyaya 23.