Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 6
Counsel to Sunīthā in the Vena Narrative: Boon for a Righteous Son and the Seed–Fruit Law of Karma
वैष्णवं सर्वपापघ्नं देहि मे मधुसूदन । दत्तवान्स तदा पुत्रमीदृशं सर्वधारकम्
vaiṣṇavaṃ sarvapāpaghnaṃ dehi me madhusūdana | dattavānsa tadā putramīdṛśaṃ sarvadhārakam
اے مدھوسودن! مجھے وِشنو کا بھکت، تمام گناہوں کو مٹانے والا بیٹا عطا فرما۔ تب اُس نے ویسا ہی بیٹا بخشا جو سب کا سہارا بننے والا تھا۔
Narrator (contextual; exact dialogue frame not provided in the input)
Concept: The highest boon is a Vaishnava disposition—devotion that destroys sin and becomes a support to others.
Application: Pray for character and devotion in oneself and one’s family; measure success by how much one becomes ‘sarva-dhāraka’—a support to others.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The devotee’s plea rises like incense: ‘Grant me a Vaiṣṇava son, destroyer of sins.’ Madhusūdana extends a blessing hand; a luminous child-form appears as a gentle orb of light, suggesting future strength that will uphold many lives.","primary_figures":["Madhusūdana (Viṣṇu)","the supplicant devotee","a symbolic child-form (radiant silhouette)"],"setting":"Temple-sanctum threshold opening into a celestial vista—lamp stands, garlands, and a lotus pedestal; the boundary between human prayer and divine response is visually thin.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep indigo","warm gold","vermillion","pearl white","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Madhusūdana with gold leaf crown and halo, right hand in varada-mudrā; the devotee below with folded hands; a small radiant child-form near Viṣṇu’s feet; thick gold embellishment on jewelry and arch, rich vermillion backdrop, ornate floral borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate prayer scene with soft architectural lines; Viṣṇu in indigo and saffron, gentle aura; the devotee in humble attire; a glowing child-form rendered as a pale golden silhouette; delicate shading, refined expressions, quiet devotional mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal Viṣṇu with bold outlines, large expressive eyes; varada gesture emphasized; stylized lamps and garlands; the child-form as a circular golden aura; strong reds/yellows/greens with black contouring.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Viṣṇu framed by lotus and floral borders; sin-destruction suggested through fading dark motifs at the bottom; the child-form as a golden lotus-bud; intricate patterns, deep blue field, gold highlights, symmetrical ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["temple bells","tanpura drone","soft mridangam pulse","conch shell (distant)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: dattavānsa → dattavān saḥ (visarga-lopa in saṃhitā); putramīdṛśam → putram īdṛśam (vowel sandhi); sarvapāpaghnaṃ is treated as a tatpuruṣa compound sarva-pāpa-ghna.
FAQs
A son who is Vaiṣṇava (devoted to Viṣṇu) and who destroys all sins (sarvapāpaghna).
It presents devotion to Viṣṇu (being “Vaiṣṇava”) as intrinsically purifying—capable of destroying sin—highlighting bhakti as a transformative spiritual force.
The verse elevates virtues—devotion, purity, and being supportive to others (sarvadhāraka)—as qualities worth praying for and cultivating, especially in the context of family and legacy.