Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 9
The Vena Episode
Sunīthā’s Lament, Counsel on Fault, and the Turn toward Māyā-vidyā
गंगातोयेन संपूर्णः कुंभ एव प्रदृश्यते । सुरायाबिन्दुनालिप्तो मद्यकुम्भः प्रजायते
gaṃgātoyena saṃpūrṇaḥ kuṃbha eva pradṛśyate | surāyābindunālipto madyakumbhaḥ prajāyate
గంగాజలంతో నిండిన కుంభం పవిత్రజల కుంభంగానే కనిపిస్తుంది; కానీ సురా యొక్క ఒక్క బిందువు తాకినా అది మద్యకుంభమైపోతుంది.
Unspecified (narrative voice not provided in the input excerpt)
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Sandhi Resolution Notes: surāyābindunālipto = surāyāḥ + bindunā + aliptaḥ.
FAQs
It teaches how a small impurity can negate a larger purity—using the metaphor of Gaṅgā-water in a pot being spoiled by even a drop of liquor.
Gaṅgā represents sacred purity and sanctifying power; the verse contrasts it with surā (liquor) as a symbol of defilement or moral/ritual contamination.
Guard one’s conduct and associations carefully: even minor lapses or corrupting influences can undermine accumulated virtue, reputation, or spiritual discipline.