Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 49
Sukalā’s Episode: Padmāvatī’s Crisis, the Speaking Embryo (Kālanemi), and Sudevā’s Begging at Śivaśarmā’s House
पुनर्मां भोजयामास मिष्टान्नेन सुदुर्बलाम् । मामुवाच स धर्मात्मा शिवशर्मा महामुनिः
punarmāṃ bhojayāmāsa miṣṭānnena sudurbalām | māmuvāca sa dharmātmā śivaśarmā mahāmuniḥ
แล้วท่านก็เลี้ยงข้าพเจ้าอีกครั้ง แม้ข้าพเจ้าจะอ่อนแรงยิ่งนัก ด้วยอาหารหวานอันโอชะ จากนั้นฤๅษีใหญ่ผู้ทรงธรรม ศิวศรมาก็กล่าวแก่ข้าพเจ้า
Narrator (unnamed in this single verse); Śivaśarmā is about to speak
Concept: Compassionate nourishment of the vulnerable is dharma; the righteous guide (dharma-ātmā) couples care with instruction.
Application: When someone is weak—physically or emotionally—support them first (food, rest, safety) before advising; let counsel arise from care, not superiority.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A frail woman sits wrapped in a simple cloth, her face pale with exhaustion, while the sage Śivaśarmā gently offers sweet food in a small bowl. The atmosphere is quiet and compassionate; after she regains strength, the sage’s posture shifts to instruction—hand raised in a calm teaching gesture.","primary_figures":["Śivaśarmā (mahāmuni)","the weak woman narrator (unnamed)"],"setting":"Forest hermitage edge or a simple hut with kusa grass mat, water pot, and a small fire altar in the background; a bowl of sweet rice or laddus placed respectfully.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","sage green","soft maroon","honey gold","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: compassionate sage Śivaśarmā with a subtle golden halo offering a jeweled bowl of sweet food to a weak woman seated on a mat; gold leaf highlights on the bowl and ornaments, rich reds/greens, a small yajña-kuṇḍa and palm-leaf manuscripts behind, ornate arch framing the hermitage scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle forest hermitage with delicate trees and distant hills; Śivaśarmā leaning forward with a bowl of sweets, the woman frail yet hopeful; cool natural palette, refined faces, fine textile patterns, quiet narrative intimacy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized sage with bold outlines and expressive eyes, offering sweet food; background with simplified hermitage motifs—fire altar, water pot, palm leaves; earthy reds/yellows/greens with rhythmic decorative borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional charity scene framed by floral borders and lotus motifs; include subtle Vaiṣṇava symbols (conch/lotus) in the border to suggest dharmic sanctity; deep blues and gold accents, intricate textile-like patterning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","forest birds","soft bell","gentle wind in leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: punar+mām→punarmām; miṣṭa+annena→miṣṭānnena; mām+uvāca→māmuvāca; saḥ dharmātmā (visarga sandhi in recitation); śivaśarmā mahāmuniḥ (simple juxtaposition).
FAQs
It highlights compassionate care and hospitality—nourishing someone who is weak—presented as an expression of dharma.
The verse names the great sage as Śivaśarmā (śivaśarmā mahāmuniḥ), described as dharmātmā, “righteous-souled.”
Yes. It sets up a dialogue: after feeding the narrator, Śivaśarmā is said to speak (mām uvāca), indicating a forthcoming instruction or narrative.