Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 8
The Account of Sukalā and the Greatness of Nārī-tīrtha
Wife-Assisted Śrāddha and Pitṛ-Liberation
स्वगृहं प्राप्य मेधावी दृष्ट्वा तां च पतिव्रताम् । सार्थवाहेन तेनापि स्वस्थानं प्राप्य बुद्धिमान्
svagṛhaṃ prāpya medhāvī dṛṣṭvā tāṃ ca pativratām | sārthavāhena tenāpi svasthānaṃ prāpya buddhimān
اپنے گھر پہنچ کر اس دانا نے اُس پتِوْرتا (وفادار) بیوی کو دیکھا؛ اور وہ قافلہ سالار بھی—حکمت والا—اپنی جگہ واپس پہنچ گیا۔
Narrator (context not provided to identify a named speaker)
Concept: Wisdom culminates in restoring rightful relationships and duties; the pativratā ideal is presented as a stabilizing spiritual force within the household.
Application: Value reconciliation and responsible return; cultivate trust and steadiness in relationships; let spiritual insight translate into dependable presence.
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A wise man steps into his courtyard after a long absence, dust of travel on his garments, and beholds his pativratā wife standing composed with a welcoming lamp and water vessel. In a parallel vignette, the caravan-leader returns to his own station, suggesting social order restored across households and livelihoods.","primary_figures":["Kṛkala (the intelligent man)","pativratā wife","caravan-leader (sārthavāha)"],"setting":"courtyard of a traditional home with threshold decorations, a small shrine niche, travel bundles set down; a second background scene of a caravan arriving at a resting place","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["marigold orange","lotus pink","turmeric yellow","teal green","warm umber"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: homecoming in a decorated courtyard—wife with āratī lamp welcoming her husband; gold leaf highlights on lamp flame, jewelry, and shrine; rich reds/greens, ornate borders, South Indian domestic auspicious motifs (kolam, mango leaves).","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tender domestic reunion with delicate architecture, soft textiles, and refined expressions; gentle dawn light, cool-teal shadows; include a distant caravan vignette with small figures and pack animals for narrative depth.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized couple at the threshold, lamp and water vessel prominent; bold outlines, natural pigments; decorative border with auspicious symbols; secondary caravan scene simplified in the background band.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: auspicious threshold scene framed by lotus and floral borders; deep blues and gold accents; incorporate peacocks near the courtyard and intricate textile patterns; devotional symmetry emphasizing the sanctity of homecoming."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["anklet chime","soft bell","courtyard birds","distant cart wheels"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्वगृहं = स्व + गृहम्; तेनापि = तेन + अपि; स्वस्थानं = स्व + स्थानम्
FAQs
It describes two people returning to their respective homes/places: the intelligent man reaches his home and sees a devoted wife, and the caravan-leader also returns to his own place.
“Pativratā” denotes a wife steadfastly devoted to her husband, implying fidelity, moral discipline, and a dharmic ideal of marital commitment.
The verse subtly foregrounds dharmic household life—returning to one’s rightful place and recognizing virtue (pativratā-dharma) as a valued moral quality.