Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 7
Pitṛmātṛtīrtha Greatness & the Discourse on Embodiment: Karma, Birth, Impurity, and Dispassion
अंडजाः पक्षिणः सर्वे सर्पा नक्राश्च भूपते । जरायुजाश्च विज्ञेया मानुषाश्च चतुष्पदाः
aṃḍajāḥ pakṣiṇaḥ sarve sarpā nakrāśca bhūpate | jarāyujāśca vijñeyā mānuṣāśca catuṣpadāḥ
اے بادشاہ! تمام پرندے انڈے سے پیدا ہونے والے (اَندج) ہیں؛ سانپ اور مگرمچھ بھی اَندج ہیں۔ رحم سے پیدا ہونے والے (جرایوج) انسان اور چار پاؤں والے جانور سمجھے جائیں۔
Unspecified narrator addressing a king (bhūpate); likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue frame typical of the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa.
Concept: Andaja (egg-born) includes birds, serpents, and crocodiles; jarāyuja (womb-born) includes humans and quadrupeds—birth-modes structure embodied existence.
Application: Cultivate ‘equal regard’ in daily choices—reduce harm, support animal welfare, and practice responsible stewardship of habitats; for leaders, legislate with compassion and restraint.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal court lesson unfolds: a sage addresses a seated king while illustrative vignettes appear around them—birds in flight over a lake, serpents coiled near rocks, crocodiles half-submerged, and in another panel humans and cattle standing together. The scene reads like a cosmological chart made vivid for governance and ethics.","primary_figures":["king (bhūpati)","teaching sage/narrator (generic)","birds","serpents","crocodiles","humans","quadrupeds (cow, deer, horse)"],"setting":"Palace veranda opening to a river-lake landscape with rocks and reeds; didactic panels or symbolic halos showing animal groups","lighting_mood":"golden dawn clarity","color_palette":["royal blue","sandstone beige","river green","sun gold","crimson"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: king on jeweled throne listening to a sage; surrounding medallions depict egg-born birds, serpents, crocodiles, and womb-born humans with cattle; gold leaf highlights on throne, halos, and medallion borders; rich reds/greens with ornate South Indian motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined court scene with open landscape; delicate birds and reptiles rendered with fine detail; cool blues and greens, gentle dawn light, lyrical composition with narrative vignettes around the main dialogue.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal king and sage with bold outlines; stylized animal panels arranged symmetrically; strong red/yellow/green palette, decorative borders, characteristic large eyes and patterned textiles.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central dialogue framed by lotus borders; animal groups arranged in circular registers like a mandala of yonis; deep blue background with gold floral filigree, peacocks and water motifs integrated, devotional undertone of universal life."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["courtly tanpura drone","distant water sounds","bird calls","soft bell at cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नक्राश्च = नक्राः + च; जरायुजाश्च = जरायुजाः + च; मानुषाश्च = मानुषाः + च।
FAQs
It distinguishes aṇḍaja (egg-born) creatures—birds, snakes, and crocodiles—from jarāyuja (womb-born) creatures—humans and four-footed animals.
“Bhūpate” means “lord of the earth,” i.e., a king; it marks the verse as part of an instructional passage delivered to a royal listener.
By emphasizing ordered categories of birth and species, it supports a worldview of dharmic order (ṛta/dharma) where beings are understood according to their nature (svabhāva).