Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 12
The Story of Sukalā
Episode: Ugrasena and Padmāvatī’s Return to Vidarbha
स दूतान्प्रेषयामास वैदर्भो मथुरां प्रति । उग्रसेनं नृवीरेंद्रं सादरेण द्विजोत्तम
sa dūtānpreṣayāmāsa vaidarbho mathurāṃ prati | ugrasenaṃ nṛvīreṃdraṃ sādareṇa dvijottama
اے برہمنوں کے سردار! ودربھ کے راجہ نے پھر متھرا کی طرف قاصد روانہ کیے، تاکہ نر ویروں میں برتر اُگرسین کو نہایت ادب کے ساتھ بلایا جائے۔
Narrator (within the Purāṇic dialogue frame; addressing 'dvijottama')
Concept: Righteous aims are pursued through respectful communication; diplomacy (dūta-prayoga) is part of kṣatriya-dharma when guided by maryādā.
Application: When seeking help or reconciliation, send messages with clarity and respect; honor the recipient’s dignity to increase the chance of auspicious outcomes.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Vidarbha king sits on a lion-throne, gesturing calmly as scribes and ministers prepare sealed letters. Swift messengers, cloaked for travel, stand ready at the palace gate; in the far distance, a faint silhouette of Mathurā’s ghāṭas and the Yamunā suggests the sacred destination.","primary_figures":["King of Vidarbha (Satyaketu)","Royal messengers (dūtas)","Ministers/scribes"],"setting":"Vidarbha palace audience hall opening onto a road toward Mathurā; distant riverfront architecture alluding to Yamunā ghāṭas","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["royal saffron","teal","burnished gold","stone white","yamunā blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Satyaketu in an ornate sabhā dispatching dūtas; gold leaf on throne, pillars, and letter seals; rich reds/greens, gem-like detailing; distant Mathurā ghāṭas and Yamunā rendered as auspicious backdrop.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant court scene with delicate lines—king issuing instructions, messengers poised; a winding road leads to a softly painted Mathurā skyline and Yamunā; cool blues and gentle greens, refined faces and textiles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold-outlined sabhā with stylized pillars; king’s commanding yet calm gesture; messengers in dynamic stance; warm pigment palette with symbolic Yamunā band in blue at the horizon.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative panel framed by lotus borders—messengers departing toward a stylized Mathurā with Yamunā; deep blue ground with gold highlights, peacocks and lotuses implying Braj sanctity even in political travel."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["hoofbeats (soft)","scroll rustle","conch shell (faint)","courtyard ambience"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दूतान्प्रेषयामास = दूतान् + प्रेषयामास (न् + प्); नृवीरेंद्रं = नृवीरेन्द्रम्; द्विजोत्तम = द्विजोत्तम (सम्बोधन)
FAQs
The king of Vidarbha sends messengers toward Mathurā, respectfully addressing or summoning Ugrasena.
It is an honorific—“best of the twice-born”—showing the verse is spoken to a learned brāhmaṇa interlocutor within the Purāṇic dialogue frame.
It highlights royal protocol and diplomacy: sending envoys and showing respect to a prominent ruler (Ugrasena).