Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 62
Episode of Vena: The Power of Association and Revā (Narmadā) Tīrtha
असतो घातयेन्नित्यं सत्यान्स परिपालयेत् । नैव दोषो भवेत्तस्य महापुण्येन वर्तयेत्
asato ghātayennityaṃ satyānsa paripālayet | naiva doṣo bhavettasya mahāpuṇyena vartayet
بدکار کو ہمیشہ دبانا (یا ہلاک کرنا) چاہیے اور سچوں کی حفاظت کرنی چاہیے۔ اس پر کوئی الزام نہیں؛ وہ عظیم ثواب کے مطابق چلتا ہے۔
Unspecified (verse excerpt; wider dialogue context needed to attribute confidently)
Concept: Dharma requires suppressing the wicked and safeguarding the truthful; when done for protection and justice, it is not blameworthy and accrues great merit.
Application: Stand up to harm (bullying, exploitation, corruption) while protecting honest people; act from duty and welfare, not personal vendetta.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sage or righteous judge stands between two groups: the truthful protected behind him and the wicked restrained before him. The composition emphasizes balance—compassionate protection on one side and firm justice on the other—suggesting merit born of impartial duty.","primary_figures":["A dharmic sage/judge figure","Truthful villagers/devotees","Wicked aggressors (symbolic)"],"setting":"Open courtyard near an āśrama or village boundary, with a simple staff of authority and a visible path dividing sides.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["clean white","royal blue","warm gold","stone gray","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central dharma-figure with a radiant halo, one hand raised in protection (abhaya) toward the truthful, the other holding a staff symbolizing daṇḍa; gold leaf on halo and ornaments; symmetrical composition with rich reds/greens and ornate borders featuring lotus and chakra motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined moral tableau with gentle faces of the protected and subdued posture of wrongdoers; cool palette, delicate architecture, and a lyrical landscape; emphasis on calm firmness rather than violence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, iconic stance of the dharma-figure; stylized groups on either side; saturated yellows/reds/greens; symbolic chakra-like mandala behind the central figure to hint Viṣṇu’s dharma-preserving power.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical dharma scene framed by lotus vines and Vaishnava emblems; deep blue background with gold highlights; incorporate cows and peacocks near the ‘truthful’ side as auspicious markers; intricate floral border suggesting cosmic order."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"authoritative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["temple bells","low drone (tanpura)","measured silence","distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: घातयेत् नित्यम् (पदच्छेद); सत्यान्स = सत्यान् + सः (न् + स sandhi); नैव = न + एव; भवेत्तस्य = भवेत् + तस्य (त् + त)
FAQs
It frames force as justified only in a dharmic role: restraining or eliminating the wicked while safeguarding the truthful, implying a duty-bound, non-selfish action rather than personal cruelty.
Because the action is portrayed as aligned with dharma—protecting the righteous and upholding truth—so it is treated as merit-bearing rather than sinful when done rightly and for the common good.
Upholding truth includes both protection of the virtuous and firm opposition to harmful wrongdoing; moral duty may require decisive action when it prevents greater harm.