Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 139
Pitṛmātṛtīrtha Greatness & the Discourse on Embodiment: Karma, Birth, Impurity, and Dispassion
क्षणिकं मरणे दुःखमनंतं प्रार्थनाकृतम् । जगतां पतिरर्थित्वाद्विष्णुर्वामनतां गतः
kṣaṇikaṃ maraṇe duḥkhamanaṃtaṃ prārthanākṛtam | jagatāṃ patirarthitvādviṣṇurvāmanatāṃ gataḥ
ความทุกข์ในยามมรณะเป็นเพียงชั่วขณะ แต่ผลที่เกิดจากการวิงวอนอธิษฐานนั้นยืนยาวไม่สิ้นสุด ดังนั้นพระวิษณุ ผู้เป็นเจ้าแห่งสรรพโลก เมื่อถูกอ้อนวอนจึงทรงรับอวตารเป็นพระวามนะ
Unspecified (narrative voice within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa context; exact speaker not provided in the input)
Concept: Death’s pain is brief, but the karmic entanglement created by craving-laden supplication can be long-lasting; even the Lord’s avatāra can be ‘occasioned’ by being entreated—therefore ask wisely and surrender purely.
Application: Transform requests into dharmic vows: ask for steadiness, purity, and service rather than possessions; practice humility without self-degradation; keep promises like Bali’s dāna.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At a grand yajña arena, the dwarf-brāhmaṇa Vāmana stands radiant yet small before King Bali, who pours water from a golden kamaṇḍalu to seal the gift. Behind Vāmana, a vast, translucent vision of Trivikrama’s cosmic stride rises into the sky, hinting that a single request can reshape worlds.","primary_figures":["Vāmana (Viṣṇu avatāra)","King Bali","Śukrācārya (optional)","yajña priests","Trivikrama’s cosmic form (visionary overlay)"],"setting":"yajña-vedi with sacrificial fires, banners, ritual vessels, and a royal canopy; celestial onlookers faintly in the clouds","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","sunlit gold","saffron orange","pearl white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vāmana receiving dāna from Bali at the yajña-vedi, with a towering Trivikrama vision behind; heavy gold leaf on crowns, fire altars, and halos; rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch framing the scene, traditional South Indian iconography for Viṣṇu with conch and discus subtly present.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant yajña scene with delicate brushwork, refined faces, cool sky gradients; Vāmana small and luminous, Bali kneeling with water-pour gesture; Trivikrama’s three strides suggested as a poetic, semi-transparent giant figure blending into mountains and clouds.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and saturated pigments; Vāmana with large expressive eyes, Bali in regal attire, stylized flames; Trivikrama as a monumental silhouette with one foot in the heavens; red/yellow/green palette with black contour emphasis.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Krishna-Vishnu centered composition with lotus motifs; Vāmana at center, Bali offering; intricate floral borders with conch-disc motifs, cows and peacocks at the margins; deep blue background with gold highlights, Nathdwara-like ornamentation adapted to Trivikrama’s cosmic stride."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","yajña fire crackle","chanting of priests","temple bells","wind in banners"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दुःखमनंतम् = दुःखम् + अनन्तम्; पतिरर्थित्वात् = पतिः + अर्थित्वात्; अर्थित्वाद्विष्णुः = अर्थित्वात् + विष्णुः; विष्णुर्वामनताम् = विष्णुः + वामनताम्
FAQs
It states that Viṣṇu assumed Vāmana-form because he was entreated—highlighting the Purāṇic theme that sincere petition can invoke divine intervention in history.
It cautions that while grief at death is temporary, the outcomes initiated by requests—especially those that set major events in motion—can have long-lasting consequences, so one should pray and ask with discernment.
The verse emphasizes Viṣṇu’s accessibility to devotees: the Lord of the worlds responds to being earnestly sought, a core Vaishnava idea about divine grace and responsiveness.