Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 92
Pitṛ-tīrtha Context: Marks of Sin, Śrāddha Discipline, and Karmic Ripening
in Yayāti’s Narrative
शूद्रो विप्रस्य क्षत्रस्य य आचारेण वर्तते । शिल्पिनः कारवो वैद्यास्तथा देवलका नराः
śūdro viprasya kṣatrasya ya ācāreṇa vartate | śilpinaḥ kāravo vaidyāstathā devalakā narāḥ
وہ شودر جو برہمن یا کشتریہ کے مقررہ آچار کے مطابق برتاؤ کرے؛ اسی طرح ہنرمند، کاریگر، ویدیہ (طبیب)، اور دیوالک—جو مندروں میں خدمت کرتے ہیں۔
Unspecified (verse given without surrounding dialogue context)
Concept: Adherence to one’s prescribed conduct (ācāra) is treated as a moral boundary; imitating another varṇa’s ācāra is censured within this passage’s framework.
Application: Read as a historical dharma-text stance: reflect on integrity and role-ethics; avoid hypocrisy and exploitation of religious status; prioritize genuine virtue over mere external markers.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic court-like scene: a seated sage recites rules of conduct while different occupational groups—artisan with tools, physician with herbs, temple-servant with lamp—stand in orderly rows. Behind them, a symbolic wheel of dharma shows distinct spokes labeled with ācāra, suggesting boundaries and responsibilities.","primary_figures":["A teaching ṛṣi","Artisan (śilpin)","Craftsman (kāra/karava)","Physician (vaidya)","Temple-servant (devalaka)"],"setting":"Hermitage classroom or royal assembly hall with palm-leaf manuscripts, ritual vessels, and a small shrine in the background.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm ochre","leaf green","lamp-flame gold","clay brown","indigo shadow"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sage on a carved throne with gold-leaf halo, palm-leaf manuscript in hand; rows of occupational figures with richly patterned garments and gold ornaments; miniature shrine with Viṣṇu lamp in the corner; ornate arch and floral border, saturated reds/greens with gold embossing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate teaching scene in a forest āśrama; delicate faces, soft greens and browns; each profession indicated by precise objects (scalpel/herb pouch, chisel, temple lamp); airy composition with fine linework and gentle shading.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal sage with large eyes, bold outlines; simplified yet iconic tools for each group; shrine lamp and temple motifs; strong red-yellow-green palette with rhythmic decorative bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central dharma-wheel motif surrounded by small vignettes of occupations; lotus borders and floral filigree; deep blue ground with gold highlights; subtle Vaiṣṇava shrine elements to anchor the Padma Purāṇa devotional ambience."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","rustle of palm leaves","low drone (tanpura)","distant birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: No major sandhi requiring split; vaidyāstathā = vaidyāḥ tathā (visarga sandhi).
FAQs
It lists social groups (Śūdra, artisans, craftsmen, physicians, temple-servants) and frames them in relation to ācāra—normative conduct—especially conduct associated with Brahmins and Kṣatriyas.
Devalaka commonly denotes temple-servants or temple functionaries—people whose livelihood is tied to service in a deity’s temple.
Yes: it emphasizes ācāra (right conduct/observance) as a key lens for describing people’s religious-social standing and duties.