Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 49
Episode of King Vena: Deceptive Doctrine, Compassion, and the Contest over Dharma
तवाग्रेऽहं प्रवक्ष्यामि बहुपुण्यप्रदायकम् । आदौ दया प्रकर्तव्या शांतभूतेन चेतसा
tavāgre'haṃ pravakṣyāmi bahupuṇyapradāyakam | ādau dayā prakartavyā śāṃtabhūtena cetasā
میں تمہارے سامنے وہ بات بیان کروں گا جو بہت زیادہ پُنّیہ دینے والی ہے۔ سب سے پہلے، پُرسکون اور ٹھہرے ہوئے چِت سے دَیا کا آچرن کرنا چاہیے۔
Unspecified (context-dependent narrator within Padma Purana dialogue framework)
Concept: The root of great merit is compassion practiced first, grounded in a calm and pacified mind.
Application: Begin any religious act—dāna, vrata, pūjā—with a deliberate settling of the mind and an intention of kindness; make compassion the first ‘offering’.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher-sage faces a seated king, raising his hand in a gesture of blessing as a soft aura of peace spreads outward. In the foreground, a small wounded bird is gently tended, symbolizing dayā as the first act; the surrounding forest becomes still, and even the sacrificial fire burns without smoke, mirroring a tranquil mind.","primary_figures":["a sage-teacher","a king-disciple","a small wounded bird (symbol of compassion)"],"setting":"quiet āśrama courtyard with tulasi pot, kusa grass seat, and a small fire-altar","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["soft green","earth brown","sunlit gold","white pearl","sky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sage blessing a kneeling king, a gentle act of tending a wounded bird in the foreground, tulasi pot beside a calm fire-altar; gold leaf halos and aura, rich vermilion and emerald accents, ornate borders, traditional South Indian iconography emphasizing serenity and compassion.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tranquil hermitage under trees with dappled light; the sage’s calm face and the king’s attentive posture, a tiny bird cradled in hands; cool greens and blues, delicate brushwork, lyrical stillness, refined facial features.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, large serene eyes, the sage’s raised hand, stylized bird and tulasi shrine; red-yellow-green palette, temple-wall composition, ornamental border with lotus and conch motifs, emphasis on śānti.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus vignette of dayā and śānta-cetas; surrounding border of tulasi leaves and lotus garlands; deep blue ground with gold highlights, peacocks resting quietly, the aura of peace rendered as concentric golden floral patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["birds","gentle wind","soft bell","long silence between pādas"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तवाग्रेऽहं = तव + अग्रे + अहम् (अग्रे + अहम् → अग्रेऽहम्); बहुपुण्यप्रदायकम् (समास); शांतभूतेन (समास)
FAQs
It teaches that compassion (dayā) is the foundational virtue and should be practiced first, supported by a calm and peaceful mind.
It links “abundant merit” not merely to external acts but to the inner condition of tranquility (śānta-cetas), implying that virtue is strengthened by mental peace.
Begin any religious or ethical undertaking by cultivating compassion, and approach actions with a settled, non-agitated mind.