Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 51
The Tale of Kāmodā and Vihuṇḍa: Tear-Born Lotuses on the Gaṅgā and the Ethics of Worship
गंगातीरे वरारोहा दुःखव्याकुलमानसा । एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यत्त्वया परिपृच्छितम्
gaṃgātīre varārohā duḥkhavyākulamānasā | etatte sarvamākhyātaṃ yattvayā paripṛcchitam
Di tebing Sungai Gaṅgā, wahai wanita mulia, hatimu resah dilanda dukacita. Segala yang engkau tanyakan telah aku jelaskan kepadamu dengan sempurna.
Unspecified narrator/speaker (context-dependent within Adhyaya 121)
Concept: Sacred rivers are not merely locations but catalysts for truth-telling and inner release; sorrow is held and clarified in the presence of tīrtha.
Application: When overwhelmed, seek a ‘tīrtha-moment’: a quiet sacred space (river, temple, Tulasi altar) to listen, reflect, and let clarity arise.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On the luminous bank of the Gaṅgā, a noble woman stands with downcast eyes, her ornaments subdued by grief, while a sage-like narrator finishes a long explanation. The river glides behind them, reflecting temple lamps and the pale sky, as if carrying away sorrow with each ripple.","primary_figures":["Sorrowful noble lady (varārohā)","Narrator/sage figure (teacher)","Personified Gaṅgā (suggested as a gentle feminine presence in the water)"],"setting":"Gaṅgā riverbank with stone ghāṭ steps, a small shrine, offerings of flowers and lamps, and distant pilgrims moving quietly.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["river emerald","lamp-flame gold","lotus pink","stone gray","moonlit silver"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Gaṅgā-ghāṭ with gold-leaf highlights on rippling water and lamps; the noble lady in elegant attire, sorrowful expression; the sage narrator seated with palm-leaf manuscript; ornate arch and border, rich reds/greens, gem-like detailing on jewelry and lamps.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate ghāṭ steps descending into calm water; soft silver-blue atmosphere; refined faces showing quiet sorrow and gentle instruction; small temple in background; subtle floral offerings floating on the river.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; stylized Gaṅgā waves with patterned bands; the lady with expressive eyes and graceful posture; the teacher gesturing in explanation; warm reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall composition with lotus border.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Gaṅgā rendered as a decorative flowing band with lotus clusters; lamps and flowers as repeating motifs; central figures framed by intricate floral borders; deep blues and gold, with peacocks near the ghāṭ and lotuses emphasizing purity and devotion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","soft bells from ghāṭ shrine","distant conch at ārati","night insects","quiet footsteps on stone steps"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गंगातीरे = गङ्गा + तीरे; एतत्ते = एतत् + ते; सर्वमाख्यातं = सर्वम् + आख्यातम्; यत्त्वया = यत् + त्वया।
FAQs
It explicitly places the scene on the bank of the river Gaṅgā, a major tīrtha setting frequently used in Purāṇic dialogue and instruction.
It serves as a closure/transition line: the speaker tells the addressed woman that all she asked has been explained, signaling completion of an earlier explanation.
The addressed woman is described as mentally distressed by sorrow (duḥkha-vyākula-mānasā), highlighting the pastoral/compassionate context in which the teaching or explanation is delivered.