Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 38
Narrative of Sumanā: The Quest for a Worthy Son and the Karmic Roots of Poverty
देवानां पूजनं विप्र भवता न कृतं कदा । प्राप्य पर्वाणि विप्रेभ्यो द्रव्यं न च समर्पितम्
devānāṃ pūjanaṃ vipra bhavatā na kṛtaṃ kadā | prāpya parvāṇi viprebhyo dravyaṃ na ca samarpitam
اے برہمن! تم نے کبھی دیوتاؤں کی پوجا نہیں کی؛ اور جب تہواروں اور مقدس ورت کے دن آئے تو تم نے برہمنوں کو کوئی مال یا نذر و نیاز پیش نہ کی۔
Unspecified (context-dependent; a reproaching speaker addressing a brāhmaṇa)
Concept: Neglect of deva-pūjā and parva-dāna severs the householder from sacred time; auspicious days are meant for worship, giving, and remembrance of Viṣṇu.
Application: Keep a simple daily worship routine; on parva days (ekādaśī, pūrṇimā, saṅkrānti), give food/cloth/money according to means; support temple and scriptural learning.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A small household shrine sits dusty and unlit, while outside the calendar-marked parva day is alive with conch sounds from a nearby temple. The brāhmaṇa stands indifferent, hands empty, as brāhmaṇas and devotees pass by expecting customary gifts and worship offerings.","primary_figures":["a negligent brāhmaṇa householder","brāhmaṇas seeking parva-dāna","temple devotees in the background"],"setting":"village lane with a visible temple entrance; inside corner shows an unlit home altar","lighting_mood":"morning brightness outside contrasted with dim, neglected interior","color_palette":["sunlit white","vermillion red","temple brass gold","ash gray","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: split-scene composition—bright temple procession with conch and lamps on one side, dusty unlit home shrine on the other; the brāhmaṇa empty-handed; gold leaf on temple lamps and ornaments; rich reds/greens, ornate borders emphasizing sacred time ignored.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: village temple in the distance with delicate figures; foreground shows the brāhmaṇa at his doorway, brāhmaṇas passing by; soft morning palette, refined expressions of disappointment and admonition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized temple doorway with lamp flames; the home altar rendered with muted tones; bold outlines and symbolic contrast between lit and unlit spaces; traditional pigment palette.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: parva-day procession framed by lotus borders; subtle Viṣṇu symbols (śaṅkha-cakra) above; the empty-handed figure contrasted with offerings; deep blues and gold, intricate floral motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell from temple","temple bells","footsteps of procession","quiet in the unlit shrine corner"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No major external sandhi; verse already mostly padaccheda-ready.
FAQs
It criticizes neglect of deva-pūjā (worship of the gods) and failure to give dāna (gifts/wealth) to brāhmaṇas on parva (holy/festival) days.
Religious life is presented as involving both devotion (pūjā) and social-religious responsibility (dāna), especially on sacred occasions; neglect of both is treated as blameworthy.
The verse reflects a common Purāṇic emphasis that dharma includes ritual reverence toward the divine and generosity/support toward custodians of Vedic learning, especially at calendrical sacred times (parva).