Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 21
Signs at the Death of Sinners and the Approach of Yama’s Messengers
अपानमार्गमाश्रित्य शृणु कांत प्रयांति ते । एवं प्राणी महामुग्धो लोभमोहसमन्वितः
apānamārgamāśritya śṛṇu kāṃta prayāṃti te | evaṃ prāṇī mahāmugdho lobhamohasamanvitaḥ
اپان کے زیریں راستے کو اختیار کر کے—سنو اے محبوبہ—وہ اسی طرف جاتے ہیں۔ یوں یہ جسم دھاری جیو بڑا گمراہ، لالچ اور موہ میں جکڑا رہتا ہے۔
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed to confirm: often framed as a dialogue such as Mahādeva → Pārvatī or Pulastya → Bhīṣma in Padma Purāṇa)
Concept: Lobha and moha determine the soul’s downward trajectory; the direction of prāṇa mirrors the direction of consciousness.
Application: Reduce greed through dāna and contentment; train the mind with japa so that at crisis/death it turns upward to Hari rather than downward to fear and attachment.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A forked subtle road appears: one path rises toward a faint lotus-like radiance, the other sinks into a smoky chasm labeled by symbols of apāna. A deluded being, weighed down by sacks of coins and tangled vines of attachment, is gently but inexorably pulled downward as a compassionate voice warns, 'Listen, beloved.'","primary_figures":["deluded jīva","implied teacher-voice (off-scene)","symbolic apāna currents"],"setting":"A liminal crossroads between worlds, with prāṇic currents visualized as flowing ribbons—one descending, one ascending.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["smoke violet","burnt umber","pale silver","lotus pink","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dramatic crossroads composition with gold leaf highlighting the upward lotus-radiance and the descending apāna stream; the jīva adorned with heavy, gem-like burdens symbolizing lobha; ornate borders with traditional motifs; rich reds and greens contrasted with dark smoky lower realm.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate depiction of two paths across a stylized landscape; the descending route into misty ravines, the ascending route toward a serene sky; refined facial features showing moha; cool palette with subtle gold accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined prāṇa ribbons—one descending thick and dark, one ascending thin and bright; the jīva’s posture bent by greed; background in earthy reds/yellows with green-black shadows; didactic iconographic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic lotus border—lotuses upright near the ascending path and drooping near the descending; intricate floral patterns; deep blue ground with gold detailing; a tiny Viṣṇu emblem at the top as the true north of consciousness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft bell strokes","whispering wind","distant conch","footsteps on gravel"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अपानमार्गमाश्रित्य = अपानमार्गम् + आश्रित्य; कांत = कान्त; प्रयांति = प्रयान्ति; महामुग्धो = महामुग्धः; लोभमोहसमन्वितः (समासरूपम्)
FAQs
“Apāna-mārga” literally means the downward course associated with apāna (a vital wind). In many Dharma texts it also implies a ‘lower’ or downward-moving tendency—symbolically, a fall into unwholesome destinations or decline driven by ignorance and desire.
It identifies the root condition as mahā-moha (deep delusion) reinforced by lobha (greed). Together they propel the being toward a downward course—spiritually and ethically.
Unchecked greed and delusion distort judgment and lead one onto a degrading path. The implied counsel is vigilance, self-restraint, and clarity (viveka) to avoid being carried by such impulses.