Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 24
The Episode of Śivaśarmā: Testing Somaśarmā through Service and Truth
द्वाभ्यामपि स धर्मात्मा स कारयति नित्यशः । स्वयं होमं ददात्यग्नौ पचत्यन्नमनुत्तमम्
dvābhyāmapi sa dharmātmā sa kārayati nityaśaḥ | svayaṃ homaṃ dadātyagnau pacatyannamanuttamam
وہ صاحبِ دین اُن دونوں سے روزانہ کے فرائض ادا کراتا ہے؛ اور خود آگ میں ہوم کی آہوتی دیتا ہے اور نہایت عمدہ اَنّ پکاتا ہے۔
Unspecified (narrative voice; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue frame of the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Nitya-karma (daily rites) and feeding (anna-pāka) are sacred when performed with responsibility toward the worthy; ritual and nourishment together sustain dharma.
Application: Keep a small daily discipline: a brief prayer/offerings (even symbolic) before meals; cook and serve with cleanliness and a service mindset.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a clean courtyard, a righteous man tends a small sacred fire, offering ghee with a ladle as thin smoke rises in steady spirals. Nearby, a hearth simmers with fragrant, excellent food prepared for honored elders, while ritual vessels and kusa grass lie neatly arranged.","primary_figures":["righteous householder","two elders/gurus (implied recipients)","sacred fire (Agni personified subtly)"],"setting":"Brahmin household courtyard with yajña-kuṇḍa, cooking hearth, brass vessels, clean mats, and a small shrine niche","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["copper bronze","ghee-gold","ash white","terracotta red","deep green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central yajña-kuṇḍa with gold leaf flames; householder offering ghee; ornate brass vessels with gem-like dots; rich red and green textiles; elders seated in calm dignity; thick decorative borders and luminous halos.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard scene with delicate architecture and soft shadows; thin blue-gray smoke from homa; cooking pot on a small hearth; refined facial expressions conveying discipline and care; gentle earth tones with cool highlights.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; stylized fire altar and hearth; householder in ritual posture; warm pigments and patterned garments; temple-wall aesthetic with decorative bands and large expressive eyes.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: domestic yajña scene framed by floral borders; central fire with lotus-like flame motifs; vessels and garlands arranged symmetrically; deep blues and gold accents, intricate textile patterning, devotional orderliness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["crackling fire","soft mantra murmurs","clinking brass vessels","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्वाभ्यामपि = द्वाभ्याम् + अपि; ददात्यग्नौ = ददाति + अग्नौ; पचत्यन्नम् = पचति + अन्नम्.
FAQs
It highlights daily discipline: ensuring duties are carried out regularly and personally performing homa (fire-offering), along with preparing proper food.
Righteousness is shown as consistent practice—organizing responsibilities daily and personally upholding sacred duties rather than neglecting them.
The verse is primarily dharma-focused (householder/ritual ethics) rather than sectarian; it emphasizes Vedic-style ritual observance and disciplined living.