Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 95
The Tale of Sukalā: Testing Pativratā Fidelity and the Body-as-House Teaching
आकृष्टः स समानेन नीतस्तेनापि वायुना । स्थानं न लभते वीर्यं चंचलत्वेन वर्तते
ākṛṣṭaḥ sa samānena nītastenāpi vāyunā | sthānaṃ na labhate vīryaṃ caṃcalatvena vartate
اندر کی طرف چلنے والی پران-وایو کے کھنچاؤ سے کھنچ کر، وہی ہوا اسے بہا لے جاتی ہے؛ اسے کوئی ثابت ٹھکانہ نہیں ملتا، اور اس کی حیاتی قوت بے قراری میں ہی بھٹکتی رہتی ہے۔
Unspecified (context not provided; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue of the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Restless prāṇa (inner wind) prevents steadiness; stability arises from disciplined regulation and devotion-oriented restraint.
Application: Practice steadiness through regulated breath, measured speech, and fixed daily sādhana (japa, nāma-smaraṇa, ekādaśī discipline) to prevent being ‘carried’ by impulses.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solitary sādhaka sits on kusa grass at the edge of a quiet riverbank, yet translucent currents of wind spiral around his chest and head, tugging him in different directions. His feet hover slightly above the ground, symbolizing ‘no stable footing,’ while a distant Viṣṇu shrine glows steadily, offering a point of inner anchoring.","primary_figures":["a sādhaka (ascetic devotee)","subtle prāṇa-vāyu personified as swirling currents","a distant Viṣṇu murti (symbolic)"],"setting":"riverbank with a small stone Viṣṇu shrine, banyan shade, scattered lotus leaves on water","lighting_mood":"forest dappled transitioning into divine radiance from the shrine","color_palette":["smoky teal","ash gray","lotus pink","lamp-flame gold","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a seated sādhaka in yogic posture before a small Viṣṇu shrine, swirling prāṇa-winds rendered as stylized gold-leaf spirals around the torso; rich maroon background, emerald borders, heavy gold leaf halo around the shrine lamp, gem-studded ornaments on the Viṣṇu icon, traditional South Indian iconography with crisp symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a contemplative ascetic by a gentle river, delicate pale-blue wind ribbons encircling him, distant temple on a hill; cool mountain palette, lyrical trees and birds, refined facial features, subtle shading, quiet narrative mood of inner struggle.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines of the sādhaka and stylized vāyu-deities as curling motifs, temple lamp-lit Viṣṇu shrine in the background; natural pigments with dominant ochres, reds, greens; large expressive eyes, rhythmic ornamental clouds of wind.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central motif of a steady glowing Viṣṇu shrine framed by lotus borders; the devotee below with swirling wind patterns like floral arabesques; deep blue ground, gold highlights, intricate vines, peacocks near the water, devotional stillness contrasted with patterned motion."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","flowing water","long silences between pādas","gentle tanpura drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नीतस्तेनापि → नीतः + तेन + अपि; (no other mandatory sandhi splits).
FAQs
It links unstable, restless motion of vital energy (vīrya/prāṇa) with an inability to “find a place” (sthāna)—a metaphor for lacking inner steadiness or groundedness.
Samāna is one of the five principal vāyus (vital winds) in yogic physiology, associated with inward balancing and digestion; here it represents a force that draws and moves the energy within.
Without steadiness and discipline, one’s energy disperses into agitation; cultivating stability (through restraint, attention, and breath regulation) supports clarity and purposeful action.