Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 4
The Teaching on Śiva-Dharma and the Supremacy of Food-Giving
within the Pitṛtīrtha–Yayāti Episode
धारयंति शिवं यस्माद्धार्यते शिवभाषितैः । शिवधर्माः स्मृतास्तस्मात्संसारार्णवतारकाः
dhārayaṃti śivaṃ yasmāddhāryate śivabhāṣitaiḥ | śivadharmāḥ smṛtāstasmātsaṃsārārṇavatārakāḥ
کیونکہ یہ شیو کو سنبھالتے ہیں، اور شیو بھی شیو کے کہے ہوئے اِن ہی اقوال سے قائم رہتا ہے؛ اسی لیے انہیں شیو دھرم کہا گیا ہے—جو سنسار کے سمندر سے پار اتارنے والی تعلیمات ہیں۔
Unspecified (context-dependent within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa 69)
Concept: Teachings rooted in the deity and articulated by him become a ‘tāraka’—a means of crossing saṃsāra.
Application: Treat ethical discipline and worship as a vehicle: practice consistently, and use scripture-guided conduct to navigate anxiety, attachment, and reactive habits.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast, dark ocean churns with waves shaped like grasping hands—symbols of desire and fear—while a radiant ferry-boat made of scripture leaves glides across. At its helm stands a calm ascetic figure representing Śiva-dharma, and above, a serene divine presence blesses the crossing with a beam of light.","primary_figures":["Śiva (as blessing presence)","personified Śiva-dharma (as ferryman/ācārya)","souls/devotees as travelers"],"setting":"Mythic ocean of saṃsāra with a luminous path across the waters; distant shore hinted as a tranquil city of light.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["midnight blue","silver","smoky violet","saffron","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic saṃsāra-ocean with stylized waves, a gold-leaf radiant ferry inscribed with Sanskrit-like motifs; Śiva as a calm, haloed figure above or at the prow; devotees seated with folded hands; heavy gold ornamentation, rich reds and greens on garments, ornate frame and arch.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant moonlit ocean with fine wave patterns; a small but luminous boat carrying devotees; delicate facial features, soft gradients of blue and silver; distant peaceful shore with faint palace silhouettes; refined brushwork and poetic atmosphere.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined ocean waves, symbolic creatures of attachment beneath; central boat with simplified figures; Śiva’s aura as a circular mandala; strong red/yellow/green accents against deep blue; temple mural symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative ocean rendered as repeating floral-wave motifs; central boat framed by lotus borders; peacocks and stylized clouds; deep indigo ground with gold highlights; devotional symmetry (adapted from Krishna-centric conventions to a generalized tāraka theme)."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["conch shell","low temple bells","distant thunder","rolling waves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यस्माद्धार्यते = यस्मात् + धार्यते (त् + ध → द्ध); स्मृतास्तस्मात् = स्मृताः + तस्मात् (विसर्ग-लोप/सन्धि).
FAQs
They are dharmic teachings and observances associated with Śiva, characterized here as sustaining Śiva (and being sustained/validated by Śiva’s own declarations).
It is a standard Purāṇic metaphor for liberation: escaping repeated birth and death through right doctrine, conduct, and spiritual practice.
That dharma is not merely social duty; when aligned with divine teaching it becomes a means of inner transformation and liberation.