Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 40
Vena Episode Conclusion: Pṛthu’s Merit and the Greatness of Hearing the Padma Purāṇa in Kali-yuga
कृते युगे तु निष्पापाः शृण्वंति मनुजा द्विज । लक्षस्यार्द्धं ततः कृत्स्नं पुराणं पद्मसंज्ञकम्
kṛte yuge tu niṣpāpāḥ śṛṇvaṃti manujā dvija | lakṣasyārddhaṃ tataḥ kṛtsnaṃ purāṇaṃ padmasaṃjñakam
ในกฤตยุค โอ้พราหมณ์ผู้เป็นทวิช ผู้คนอันปราศจากบาปย่อมสดับปุราณะทั้งสิ้นที่มีนามว่า “ปัทมะ” ซึ่งมีจำนวนครึ่งลักษะ คือห้าหมื่นโศลก
Unspecified (narrative voice addressing a dvija)
Concept: Spiritual receptivity varies by yuga; in the pure Kṛta age, people can hear the Padma Purāṇa in full, implying that śravaṇa is a major purifier and dharmic support.
Application: Even in later ages, emulate Kṛta-yuga qualities—truthfulness, simplicity, restraint—to deepen one’s capacity for sustained study/listening.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A timeless hall of sages in Kṛta-yuga: ascetics with radiant faces sit in perfect stillness as a luminous reciter intones the Padma Purāṇa, the very syllables appearing as lotus-like patterns in the air. The scene conveys an age where sinlessness makes long, complete listening effortless and joyful.","primary_figures":["ancient ṛṣis","a Purāṇa reciter (sūta-like figure)","subtle lotus-emblems of Viṣṇu"],"setting":"Forest hermitage turned cosmic classroom—deer nearby, sacrificial fires steady, palm-leaf stacks arranged like a library.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["crystal white","lotus pink","saffron gold","forest emerald","sky azure"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a radiant assembly of sages listening to the Padma Purāṇa, with gold-leaf aura forming lotus patterns above the reciter; rich reds/greens, ornate borders, stylized palm-leaf manuscripts, divine glow emphasizing the sanctity of śravaṇa.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene hermitage with delicate trees and animals; sages seated in symmetrical calm, the reciter holding manuscripts; cool mountain-like palette and airy space, refined expressions suggesting Kṛta-yuga purity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, iconic sage faces, rhythmic rows of listeners; the spoken text visualized as lotus motifs; strong reds/yellows/greens with temple-wall grandeur and auspicious framing.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: lotus-filled border where syllables become blossoms; central reciter surrounded by sages like petals around a lotus; deep blue background with gold highlights, intricate floral patterns symbolizing the Padma Purāṇa itself."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["forest birds","gentle wind","steady yajña fire","soft tanpura","long silences between verses"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: शृण्वन्ति (IAST śṛṇvaṃti) = शृण्वन्ति; लक्षस्य+अर्धम् → लक्षस्यार्द्धम् (द्वित्व/संयोग); पद्म+संज्ञकम् → पद्मसंज्ञकम्.
FAQs
It states that the Padma Purāṇa is “half of a lakh,” i.e., about 50,000 verses, and that people hear it in full.
The verse presents Kṛta Yuga humans as niṣpāpa (sinless) and devoted to hearing the entire Purāṇa, highlighting śravaṇa as a primary mode of receiving dharma and sacred knowledge.
It implies an ideal of moral purity and receptivity to sacred teaching—suggesting that a righteous life naturally includes sustained engagement with scripture through attentive listening.