Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 16
The Sumanā Narrative: Vaiṣṇava Hospitality, Āṣāḍha Śukla Ekādaśī, and the Rise to Brāhmaṇahood
उत्सवं परमं चक्रुर्गीतमंगलवादनैः । स्तुवंति ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे वेदैः स्तोत्रैः सुमंगलैः
utsavaṃ paramaṃ cakrurgītamaṃgalavādanaiḥ | stuvaṃti brāhmaṇāḥ sarve vedaiḥ stotraiḥ sumaṃgalaiḥ
Mereka mengadakan perayaan agung dengan nyanyian-nyanyian mangala dan bunyi alat muzik yang membawa berkat; dan semua brāhmaṇa memuji dengan Veda serta stotra-stotra yang penuh kemuliaan.
Narrative voice (contextual speaker not specified in the provided excerpt)
Concept: Collective kīrtana, maṅgala-vādya, and Veda-stuti transform a vrata day into a ‘parama utsava’—devotion expressed as joyous, auspicious celebration.
Application: On sacred days, add communal singing/recitation to personal practice; create uplifting, sattvic soundscapes at home or temple.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grand devotional festival unfolds: brāhmaṇas chant Vedic hymns while musicians play maṅgala instruments; devotees sing in response, filling the air with auspicious sound. Lamps, garlands, and incense frame a central Viṣṇu altar, and the entire gathering appears bathed in a shared radiance of devotion.","primary_figures":["brāhmaṇas chanting Veda","devotee musicians","gṛhastha devotees","Viṣṇu (central icon)"],"setting":"Temple hall or decorated courtyard with garlands, lamps, incense, and a central altar; instruments like mṛdaṅga, vīṇā, and cymbals present.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["marigold orange","vermillion red","golden brass","peacock blue","jasmine white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central Viṣṇu icon with gold leaf halo and gem-like ornaments; surrounding brāhmaṇas chanting from palm-leaf manuscripts, musicians with mṛdaṅga and cymbals, devotees singing; rich reds/greens, embossed gold borders, ornate pillars and hanging garlands.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant festival gathering with delicate brushwork—rows of chanters and singers, refined instruments, floral decorations; soft architectural details, lyrical crowd composition, cool yet festive palette with peacock blues and marigold accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: symmetrical utsava scene with bold outlines—brāhmaṇas in chanting posture, stylized instruments, central shrine panel of Viṣṇu; strong red/yellow/green pigments, ornamental borders, lamp motifs repeated rhythmically.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Krishna-Viṣṇu at center with lotus and floral borders; devotees performing kīrtan, peacocks and cows in margins, deep blue background with gold highlights, intricate garlands and textile patterns, Nathdwara-inspired celebratory symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["temple bells","hand cymbals","mṛdaṅga drum","conch shell","group chanting"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चक्रुर् = चक्रुः (रेफ-सन्धि); गीतमंगलवादनैः = गीत + मङ्गल + वादनैः (समास/समाहार); स्तुवंति = स्तुवन्ति (अनुस्वार-लेखनभेद)।
FAQs
It portrays an auspicious public celebration (utsava) marked by devotional singing, instrumental music, and formal Vedic/hymnic praise led by brāhmaṇas.
It emphasizes dhārmic festivity as a sacred act—community celebration becomes worship through maṅgala music and Vedic-stotra recitation.
The verse implies that collective joy is elevated when aligned with auspicious speech, sacred sound, and reverent praise—turning celebration into a meritorious offering.