Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 19
Prologue to the Suvrata Narrative: Revā (Narmadā) and Vāmana-tīrtha; Greed, Anxiety, and the Ethics of Trust
अज्ञानं सुफलं तस्य रसोऽधर्मः फलस्य हि । तृष्णोदकेन संवृद्धाऽश्रद्धा तस्य द्रवः प्रिय
ajñānaṃ suphalaṃ tasya raso'dharmaḥ phalasya hi | tṛṣṇodakena saṃvṛddhā'śraddhā tasya dravaḥ priya
جہالت اس کا خوش نما پھل ہے، اور اس پھل کا رس دراصل اَدھرم ہے۔ تِرشْنا کے پانی سے پرورش پا کر بےایمانی (عدمِ شردھا) اس کی محبوب بہتی ہوئی لَس بن جاتی ہے۔
Unknown (verse excerpt; wider dialogue context not provided)
Concept: Craving waters the growth of ignorance; adharma becomes the ‘juice’ of its fruit, and aśraddhā flows as its sap—faith is the key counterforce.
Application: Reduce ‘tṛṣṇā inputs’: limit compulsive consumption, practice gratitude, and replace craving with regulated desire (yama/niyama) and devotional routines; intentionally cultivate śraddhā via scripture reading and association.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A deceptively beautiful fruit labeled ajñāna is split open, revealing dark syrup labeled adharma as its ‘rasa’. From the tree’s bark, a thick sap marked aśraddhā oozes, while a stream labeled tṛṣṇā-udaka irrigates the roots; nearby, a clear spring of śraddhā begins to form where devotees chant Hari’s names.","primary_figures":["Personified Tṛṣṇā (as a water-bearer)","Vaishnava devotees (counterpoint)","Allegorical tree of moha/pāpa"],"setting":"Symbolic riverbed where two waters meet: muddy craving-stream and a clear faith-spring; stones inscribed with ‘śraddhā’ and ‘satya’.","lighting_mood":"overcast clearing into gentle divine radiance near the faith-spring","color_palette":["mud brown","dark plum","smoky black","clear aquamarine","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: split fruit of ajñāna with glossy dark ‘adharma’ juice rendered in rich enamel-like tones; gold-leaf highlights on the emerging śraddhā spring and on devotees’ halos; thick sap labeled aśraddhā on the trunk; ornate borders, rich reds/greens, gem-like detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined allegory with two streams—muddy tṛṣṇā water feeding roots and a clear aquamarine spring near chanting devotees; delicate botanical detail, subtle clouded sky opening to light; soft gradients and lyrical composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of the tree, stylized dripping sap, and a clear spring motif; devotees in calm frontal poses with prayer beads; red/yellow/green pigments with aquamarine accent for śraddhā-water, temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central tree with patterned sap-drips; lotus motifs blooming only where the clear śraddhā water flows; intricate floral borders, deep blues and gold, small peacocks near the faith-spring, devotional textile richness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft water flow (two streams)","tanpura drone","gentle bell","low conch resonance at cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: रसोऽधर्मः = रसः + अधर्मः। संवृद्धाऽश्रद्धा = संवृद्धा + अश्रद्धा। तृष्णोदकेन = तृष्णा + उदकेन।
FAQs
It warns that ignorance may appear attractive, but its inner essence is adharma; craving nourishes it and culminates in a hardened lack of faith.
Craving is described as the ‘water’ that feeds the growth of ignorance-driven tendencies, resulting in aśraddhā—loss of trust in dharma and higher truth.
Yes: by identifying aśraddhā (absence of faith) as a key symptom of ignorance, it implicitly elevates śraddhā (faith) as foundational for dharmic and devotional life.