Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 45
The Tale of Sukalā: Testing Pativratā Fidelity and the Body-as-House Teaching
यावत्तिष्ठति तारुण्यं तावद्भुंजंति मानवाः । सुखभोगादिकं सर्वं स्वेच्छया रमते नरः
yāvattiṣṭhati tāruṇyaṃ tāvadbhuṃjaṃti mānavāḥ | sukhabhogādikaṃ sarvaṃ svecchayā ramate naraḥ
جب تک جوانی قائم رہتی ہے، لوگ لذتوں میں مشغول رہتے ہیں۔ آدمی اپنی مرضی کے مطابق ہر طرح کے سکھ اور بھوگ میں رَم جاتا ہے۔
Unspecified (narrative voice within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: As long as youth lasts, humans indulge according to whim; unchecked desire strengthens bondage—therefore cultivate restraint and devotion early.
Application: Set boundaries for pleasure; adopt simple daily niyamas (japa, satvika diet, ekadashi observance) while energy is strong.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A youthful figure reclines amid luxuries—garlands, perfumes, music—while shadowy forms of Time and Aging loom faintly behind, almost invisible yet inevitable. The composition contrasts bright sensual abundance with a subtle warning: the man delights in every pleasure by his own will, unaware of the approaching turn of life.","primary_figures":["youthful indulgent man","personified Kāma (optional symbolic)","personified Kāla/Time (subtle)","faint figure of Jarā/Aging (subtle)"],"setting":"palace-garden pavilion with cushions, wine-like goblets (symbolic), musicians at the edge, and a distant darkening sky","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["midnight blue","antique gold","rose red","ivory white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: opulent pavilion scene with gold leaf-heavy ornamentation, gem-studded jewelry, rich crimson and emerald textiles; behind the youth, faint gold-outlined silhouettes of Kāla and Jarā; ornate arch and floral borders emphasizing moral contrast.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined courtly indulgence in a moonlit garden; delicate musicians, scented flowers, cool blues and greens; a barely-there gray figure of Time in the background, conveying warning through subtlety and composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and saturated pigments; youth in bright red/yellow garments, background deep green; symbolic Kāla/Jarā rendered as stylized shadow-figures; decorative patterns filling negative space like a temple narrative panel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central pavilion medallion of youthful bhoga, surrounded by lotus and creeper borders; peacocks and floral filigree; deep blue ground with gold highlights; small corner vignettes of Time’s wheel and wilting flowers as symbolic reminders."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["mridang rhythm (soft)","ankle bells distant","night breeze","single conch note at cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यावत्तिष्ठति = यावत् + तिष्ठति (त् + त → त्त); तावद्भुञ्जन्ति = तावत् + भुञ्जन्ति (त् + भ → द्भ); सुखभोगादिकम् = सुख-भोग-आदिकम् (समास); स्वेच्छया = स्व + इच्छया (स्वेच्छया)
FAQs
It observes that while youth lasts, humans tend to pursue pleasures freely and indulge in enjoyments according to personal desire.
The verse primarily describes a common human tendency during youth; in Purāṇic ethical contexts this often serves as a setup for reflecting on impermanence and the need for restraint or higher aims.
Youth and the capacity to enjoy are temporary; therefore one should be mindful of desire-driven living and consider directing life toward lasting values such as dharma and self-discipline.