Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 51
The Tale of Kāmodā and Vihuṇḍa: Tear-Born Lotuses on the Gaṅgā and the Ethics of Worship
गंगातीरे वरारोहा दुःखव्याकुलमानसा । एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यत्त्वया परिपृच्छितम्
gaṃgātīre varārohā duḥkhavyākulamānasā | etatte sarvamākhyātaṃ yattvayā paripṛcchitam
گنگا کے کنارے، اے بلند مرتبہ خاتون، تیرا دل غم سے بے قرار ہے۔ جو کچھ تو نے پوچھا تھا، وہ سب میں نے تجھے پوری طرح بیان کر دیا۔
Unspecified narrator/speaker (context-dependent within Adhyaya 121)
Concept: Sacred rivers are not merely locations but catalysts for truth-telling and inner release; sorrow is held and clarified in the presence of tīrtha.
Application: When overwhelmed, seek a ‘tīrtha-moment’: a quiet sacred space (river, temple, Tulasi altar) to listen, reflect, and let clarity arise.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On the luminous bank of the Gaṅgā, a noble woman stands with downcast eyes, her ornaments subdued by grief, while a sage-like narrator finishes a long explanation. The river glides behind them, reflecting temple lamps and the pale sky, as if carrying away sorrow with each ripple.","primary_figures":["Sorrowful noble lady (varārohā)","Narrator/sage figure (teacher)","Personified Gaṅgā (suggested as a gentle feminine presence in the water)"],"setting":"Gaṅgā riverbank with stone ghāṭ steps, a small shrine, offerings of flowers and lamps, and distant pilgrims moving quietly.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["river emerald","lamp-flame gold","lotus pink","stone gray","moonlit silver"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Gaṅgā-ghāṭ with gold-leaf highlights on rippling water and lamps; the noble lady in elegant attire, sorrowful expression; the sage narrator seated with palm-leaf manuscript; ornate arch and border, rich reds/greens, gem-like detailing on jewelry and lamps.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate ghāṭ steps descending into calm water; soft silver-blue atmosphere; refined faces showing quiet sorrow and gentle instruction; small temple in background; subtle floral offerings floating on the river.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; stylized Gaṅgā waves with patterned bands; the lady with expressive eyes and graceful posture; the teacher gesturing in explanation; warm reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall composition with lotus border.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Gaṅgā rendered as a decorative flowing band with lotus clusters; lamps and flowers as repeating motifs; central figures framed by intricate floral borders; deep blues and gold, with peacocks near the ghāṭ and lotuses emphasizing purity and devotion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing water","soft bells from ghāṭ shrine","distant conch at ārati","night insects","quiet footsteps on stone steps"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गंगातीरे = गङ्गा + तीरे; एतत्ते = एतत् + ते; सर्वमाख्यातं = सर्वम् + आख्यातम्; यत्त्वया = यत् + त्वया।
FAQs
It explicitly places the scene on the bank of the river Gaṅgā, a major tīrtha setting frequently used in Purāṇic dialogue and instruction.
It serves as a closure/transition line: the speaker tells the addressed woman that all she asked has been explained, signaling completion of an earlier explanation.
The addressed woman is described as mentally distressed by sorrow (duḥkha-vyākula-mānasā), highlighting the pastoral/compassionate context in which the teaching or explanation is delivered.