Padma Purana — Srishti Khanda, Shloka 149
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
विद्याधरी सुप्रसन्ना तथा लोकप्रसादिनी । क्षेमा च जाह्नवी चैव शांता शांतिप्रदायिनी
vidyādharī suprasannā tathā lokaprasādinī | kṣemā ca jāhnavī caiva śāṃtā śāṃtipradāyinī
ਉਹ ਵਿਦਿਆਧਰੀ ਹੈ, ਸਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਨ, ਅਤੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ਣ ਵਾਲੀ। ਉਹ ਖੇਮਾ ਅਤੇ ਜਾਹਨਵੀ ਵੀ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਾਂਤਾ—ਸ਼ਾਂਤੀ ਪ੍ਰਦਾਨ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੀ।
Unspecified (context-dependent narration within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa; verse lists epithets/names).
Concept: The sacred is benevolent: Gaṅgā’s essence is prasāda—favor, welfare, and peace—accessible through praise and remembrance.
Application: When seeking calm or clarity, practice nāma-smaraṇa and approach sacred waters with humility; extend ‘loka-prasāda’ by becoming a source of peace and support to others.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Gaṅgā appears as Vidyādharī—crowned with a diadem of river-pearls—her expression supremely gentle, as she pours a stream of luminous water that transforms into blessings: manuscripts of knowledge, protective amulets of kṣema, and white lotuses of śānti. Around her, people of different worlds—gandharvas, humans, and sages—receive her prasāda, their faces relaxing into peace.","primary_figures":["Gaṅgā-devī (Jāhnavī)","Sages (ṛṣis)","Vidyādharas/Gandharvas","Human devotees"],"setting":"A tranquil ghāṭa with white stone steps, lotus-filled eddies, and a small shrine with a lamp; distant forest and soft hills.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["milk white","moon silver","lapis blue","soft sandalwood beige","pale lotus pink"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Gaṅgā-devī with a large gold halo, holding a kamaṇḍalu and lotus; streams of water rendered as stylized gold-edged ribbons turning into lotus blossoms labeled ‘kṣema’ and ‘śānti’; devotees kneeling on ornate ghāṭa steps; rich crimson borders and gem-like detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate moonlit riverbank, Gaṅgā as a graceful figure in pale blue; tiny devotees with refined expressions; lotuses and swans; subtle depiction of ‘peace’ through softened gestures and calm water ripples.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, Gaṅgā with serene wide eyes; symbolic lotuses for śānti and protective motifs for kṣema; warm ochre background, green-red garments, blue river with rhythmic wave patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Gaṅgā framed by an ornate floral border; white lotuses and swans dominate; small vignettes of devotees receiving prasāda; deep indigo field with gold and white detailing to evoke moonlit serenity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","soft conch shell","night insects","temple lamp crackle","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: च+एव → चैव।
FAQs
Jāhnavī is a well-known epithet of the river-goddess Gaṅgā, associated with the sage Jahnu in Purāṇic tradition.
It is a litany of auspicious names/qualities portraying a divine feminine presence as knowledge-bearing, world-benefiting, welfare-giving, and peace-bestowing.
The verse valorizes inner serenity and the capacity to confer welfare and peace upon others—qualities presented as divine ideals to cultivate.