Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 42
The Tale of Sukalā: Testing Pativratā Fidelity and the Body-as-House Teaching
किं करिष्यति तेनैवं भवती खिद्यते वृथा । कस्मान्नाशयते चांगं दिव्यं हेमसमप्रभम्
kiṃ kariṣyati tenaivaṃ bhavatī khidyate vṛthā | kasmānnāśayate cāṃgaṃ divyaṃ hemasamaprabham
اس سے کیا حاصل ہوگا؟ اس طرح تُو بے فائدہ غم کرتی ہے۔ وہ اپنے اس دیویہ بدن کو، جو سونے کی مانند دمکتا ہے، کیوں نہیں مٹا دیتا؟
Unspecified (dialogue context not provided for Adhyaya 53)
Concept: Grief that cannot change the past is futile; protect the precious human body rather than ruin it through despair.
Application: When abandoned or wronged, avoid self-destructive choices; seek support, prayer, and constructive action; treat the body as a sacred trust.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"An elder figure speaks firmly to a grieving woman whose face is wet with tears; his hand is raised in a calming gesture, as if stopping her from collapsing into despair. Her body is described as ‘golden-radiant,’ so the artist shows a subtle inner glow around her, contrasting with the shadow of sorrow.","primary_figures":["grieving young woman","elder counselor/sage-like figure"],"setting":"quiet inner courtyard with a small lamp, a low seat, and a tulasi pedestal in the background","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm gold","lamp orange","smoky violet","sandalwood beige","deep green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: counselor with authoritative mudrā of reassurance, the woman seated with a faint golden aura; ornate arch frame, gold leaf on jewelry and lamp flame, rich crimson backdrop, emerald and peacock-blue textiles, traditional South Indian facial stylization.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate counseling scene on a veranda; soft washes, fine detailing of tears and textiles; pale gold aura around the heroine, cool twilight tones, delicate floral motifs and distant trees.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, expressive eyes; the woman’s ‘hema-samaprabha’ shown as a yellow-gold body tone; lamp and tulasi shrine behind; red-yellow-green dominant palette with rhythmic decorative borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central counseling vignette framed by lotus and creeper borders; small lamp motifs repeated; deep indigo ground with gold highlights; peacocks and floral filigree surrounding the scene."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["single temple bell strike","low drone (tanpura)","night insects","gentle silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तेनैवम् = तेन + एवम्; कस्मान्नाशयते = कस्मात् + नाशयते (त् + न → न्न); चांगम् = च + अङ्गम्; हेमसमप्रभम् = हेम-सम-प्रभम् (समास)
FAQs
It criticizes futile grief and questions attachment to the body, implying a turn toward discernment and detachment (vairāgya).
It highlights the allure and perceived perfection of the body, which can intensify attachment—yet the verse questions why such a body is not relinquished or transcended.
The speaker cannot be identified from the single-verse excerpt alone; the surrounding verses of Bhūmi-khaṇḍa, Adhyaya 53 are needed to confirm the dialogue pair.