Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 24
Origin of Suvrata
Boon, Sacred Ford, and the Birth Narrative
स्वगृहं प्रति धर्मात्मा त्वरमाणः प्रयाति च । गृहद्वारं गतो यावत्तावत्तं तु न पश्यति
svagṛhaṃ prati dharmātmā tvaramāṇaḥ prayāti ca | gṛhadvāraṃ gato yāvattāvattaṃ tu na paśyati
وہ نیک نفس اپنے ہی گھر کی طرف تیزی سے بڑھتا ہے؛ اور جب تک گھر کے دروازے تک نہ پہنچے، اسے وہ نظر ہی نہیں آتا۔
Unspecified (narrative voice within the Adhyaya; commonly framed in the Bhīṣma–Pulastya dialogue in Padma Purāṇa)
Concept: Single-pointed dhārmika intent: the righteous person moves swiftly toward duty, not distracted until the goal is reached.
Application: When undertaking a vow, pūjā, or ethical commitment, reduce distractions; finish the intended act before seeking secondary pleasures.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dharmic man strides quickly along a narrow lane, eyes fixed ahead, as if pulled by an unseen sacred duty. The house-door appears only at the last moment, emphasizing his unwavering focus and haste.","primary_figures":["dharmātmā (righteous man)"],"setting":"village street leading to a simple doorway, faint ritual symbols on walls, quiet midday stillness","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["dusty ochre","white limewash","deep maroon","olive green","sky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: the dharmātmā in purposeful stride toward a stylized doorway, gold-leaf accents on sacred marks and threshold motifs, rich maroon-green background panels, ornamental borders suggesting ritual order and resolve.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: dynamic yet restrained motion—flowing garment edges, delicate lane perspective, soft shadows, the doorway emerging at the end of the path; calm determination on the face.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines capturing forward motion, simplified architecture, warm yellow-red palette, the doorway rendered as a symbolic frame of dharma, large expressive eyes focused ahead.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a central figure moving toward an ornate threshold framed by lotus vines; decorative borders, deep blues and gold, rhythmic repetition of motifs conveying single-pointed movement."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["quick footsteps","rustling cloth","distant bell","brief silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यावत्तावत्तं→यावत् तावत् तम् (तावत्+तम् = तावत्तम्); अन्यत्र स्पष्ट-सन्धिः न।
FAQs
It highlights how intense haste or fixation can narrow perception—one may be so intent on reaching a goal that even what is directly ahead remains unnoticed until the last moment.
The epithet emphasizes that even a virtuous person can be subject to ordinary human limitations like hurry and tunnel vision; righteousness does not remove basic psychological tendencies.
It encourages mindful action: pursue duties and goals without losing awareness of immediate realities, relationships, and responsibilities encountered along the way.