Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 59
Origin of Suvrata
Boon, Sacred Ford, and the Birth Narrative
एवं तयोस्तु वृत्तांतं पुण्याचारसमन्वितम् । सुव्रतस्य प्रवक्ष्यामि व्रतचर्यां द्विजोत्तमाः
evaṃ tayostu vṛttāṃtaṃ puṇyācārasamanvitam | suvratasya pravakṣyāmi vratacaryāṃ dvijottamāḥ
یوں اُن دونوں کا حال، جو دھرم آچرن سے آراستہ تھا، بیان کر کے اب میں ‘سُوورت’ نامی ورت کی پابندی اور اس کی ریاضت بیان کروں گا، اے بہترین دِوِج (دو بار جنم لینے والو)۔
Unspecified narrator (context-dependent within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa dialogue frame)
Concept: Vrata-caryā (disciplined vow-practice) is a structured path of dharma that channels merit into devotion and transformation.
Application: Adopt a manageable vow (fasting, charity, japa, or restraint) with clarity and consistency; keep it ‘su’—ethical, non-harmful, and devotion-centered.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage-narrator turns from storytelling to instruction, raising a hand in teaching gesture as attentive brāhmaṇas sit in a semicircle. Palm-leaf manuscripts and a ritual tray suggest that the narrative is about to become a precise manual of vow-discipline.","primary_figures":["Teaching sage/narrator","Dwijottamas (attentive brāhmaṇas)"],"setting":"Forest āśrama with a thatched pavilion; sacred fire nearby; manuscripts, water pot, and offering items arranged neatly.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["smoke gray","saffron","banyan green","clay brown","sunlit gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a teaching sage seated on a raised seat, right hand in vyākhyāna-mudrā, brāhmaṇas listening with folded hands; gold leaf highlights on halos, fire altar and manuscripts rendered with ornate detail, rich reds/greens, temple-arch framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tranquil āśrama scene with delicate brushwork—sage instructing disciples, soft forest backdrop, small yajña-kuṇḍa with thin smoke, palm-leaf manuscripts, refined faces and gentle gestures, cool greens and warm saffron accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; sage and disciples in stylized postures, ritual fire and vessels prominent, decorative border motifs, earthy reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall composition emphasizing didactic solemnity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: instructional satsang framed by floral borders and lotus motifs; central teacher figure with disciples, stylized trees and birds, deep blue background with gold detailing, intricate textile patterns suggesting sacred order."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling sacred fire","rustling leaves","soft chanting undertone","occasional bell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तयोस्तु = तयोः + तु (visarga sandhi). पुण्याचारसमन्वितम् and व्रतचर्याम् are compounds.
FAQs
The speaker transitions from narrating the story of “those two” to explaining the rules and discipline (vrata-caryā) of the Suvrata vow.
It indicates that the earlier account is characterized by meritorious, ethically exemplary conduct—setting a moral foundation for the vow’s instructions.
It is an honorific address meaning “best among the twice-born,” typically referring to learned Brahmins or qualified ritual adherents being instructed.