Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 117
Pitṛmātṛtīrtha Greatness & the Discourse on Embodiment: Karma, Birth, Impurity, and Dispassion
जराभिभूतोपि जंतुः पत्नीपुत्रादिबांधवैः । अशक्तत्वाद्दुराचारैर्भृत्यैश्च परिभूयते
jarābhibhūtopi jaṃtuḥ patnīputrādibāṃdhavaiḥ | aśaktatvāddurācārairbhṛtyaiśca paribhūyate
แม้สัตว์โลกผู้ถูกชราครอบงำ ก็เพราะความไร้กำลัง ย่อมถูกภรรยา บุตร และญาติทั้งหลาย ตลอดจนคนรับใช้ผู้ประพฤติชั่ว ดูหมิ่นเหยียดหยาม
Not specified in the provided excerpt (context needed from Adhyaya 66 framing dialogue).
Concept: Old age exposes the instability of worldly supports; therefore one should not postpone righteous living and spiritual preparation.
Application: Cultivate savings of merit early: daily japa, dana, seva, and respectful care for elders; reduce ego and expectations from relatives; build a dharmic household culture where servants are trained in sadachara.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An aged figure, bent and trembling, sits near the threshold of a modest home while family members turn away with cold faces; a servant stands with a dismissive posture, symbolizing social inversion. In the background, a small Vishnu shrine lamp flickers, suggesting the only steady refuge amid human neglect.","primary_figures":["elderly householder","wife","children","relatives","servant","Vishnu (as small shrine icon)"],"setting":"earthy household courtyard with a simple tulasi platform and a small wall-niche shrine","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["smoky umber","ash gray","lamp-flame gold","deep indigo","muted maroon"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a sorrowful domestic courtyard scene with an elderly devotee near a small Vishnu shrine; gold leaf highlights on the shrine arch, lamp flame, and ornaments; rich reds and greens for textiles; stylized faces showing disdain and compassion; intricate floral borders and subtle gem-like accents on the deity icon.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet courtyard with delicate linework; the old man seated near a tulasi vrindavana, family figures turned away; cool, restrained palette with lyrical naturalism; distant trees and a pale sky; refined expressions conveying karuna and social coldness.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments; central aged figure with expressive eyes; a small Vishnu shrine with conch and chakra motifs; warm red-yellow-green palette; ornamental borders reminiscent of temple walls, emphasizing moral instruction.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a symbolic composition where the neglected elder sits beneath a stylized arch of lotus motifs; in the background, a small Srinathji/Vishnu icon with deep blue and gold; intricate floral borders and subdued household figures, emphasizing the contrast between worldly neglect and divine shelter."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","low drone (tanpura)","distant household murmurs","brief silence after the final word"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जराभिभूतोपि = जराभिभूतः अपि; अशक्तत्वाद्दुराचारैः = अशक्तत्वात् दुराचारैः; भृत्यैश्च = भृत्यैः च.
FAQs
It warns that when a person becomes weak with age, even close relations may mistreat him; therefore dharma requires compassion, respect, and protection of the elderly and dependent.
No. It criticizes adharma—cruelty and disrespect—within family and household settings, especially toward the helpless.
It conveys being treated with contempt—insulted, slighted, or humiliated—rather than merely being ignored.