Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 27
The Story of Yayāti: Indra and Dharmarāja on Vaiṣṇava Dharma and the ‘Heavenizing’ of Earth
चरितं वामनस्यापि उत्पत्तिं विप्ररूपिणः । रूपेणाप्रतिमा लोके सुस्वरं गीतमुत्तमम्
caritaṃ vāmanasyāpi utpattiṃ viprarūpiṇaḥ | rūpeṇāpratimā loke susvaraṃ gītamuttamam
وامن کا چرتر بھی گایا گیا، اور اس ہستی کی پیدائش بھی جس نے برہمن کا روپ دھارا—جس کی صورت دنیا میں بے مثال ہے—یہ ایک اعلیٰ نغمہ ہے جو نہایت شیریں سُروں میں گایا گیا۔
Unspecified (context-dependent; likely within the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue of the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Singing avatāra-carita—especially Vāmana’s brāhmaṇa-disguise—becomes a superior devotional act when rendered with excellence (svara) and sincerity.
Application: Make your recitation/chanting ‘svara-śuddha’ and ‘bhāva-yukta’; let art (gīta) serve remembrance of Viṣṇu’s deeds.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shringara
Type: tirtha
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A troupe sings Vāmana’s story: a radiant brāhmaṇa-boy with a parasol and kamaṇḍalu stands poised, while behind him the cosmic Trivikrama form is hinted in a visionary overlay—one foot touching earth, the other rising toward the heavens. The song’s sweetness seems visible as flowing ribbons of sound around the performers.","primary_figures":["Vāmana (brāhmaṇa-boy)","Trivikrama (visionary form)","singers/musicians","Bali (suggested in backdrop)"],"setting":"court-stage transforming into a visionary cosmic tableau, with a sacrificial arena suggested by kuśa grass and offering vessels","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","lotus pink","conch white","sunlit gold","peacock green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Vāmana as a youthful brāhmaṇa with gold halo, parasol and kamaṇḍalu, musicians singing with vīṇā and mṛdaṅga, a gilded visionary Trivikrama silhouette behind, heavy gold leaf embellishment, rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry and temple-like borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate singers seated on a carpeted stage, Vāmana small yet luminous, a translucent Trivikrama vision rising into a pale sky, refined faces, lyrical naturalism, cool blues and soft pinks with fine detailing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, Vāmana front-facing with stylized eyes, Trivikrama towering behind in iconic posture, rhythmic ornamentation, natural pigment palette with strong reds/yellows/greens and sacred aura.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Krishna-like devotional framing with lotus borders, Vāmana centered amid floral motifs, cows and peacocks as auspicious fillers, deep blue background with gold highlights, intricate textile patterns emphasizing ‘gīta’ as worship."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["vīṇā","mṛdaṅga","hand cymbals","conch shell (soft)","audience hush"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वामनस्यापि = वामनस्य + अपि; रूपेणाप्रतिमा = रूपेण + अप्रतिमा; गीतमुत्तमम् = गीतम् + उत्तमम्.
FAQs
It refers to the divine figure who appears in the form of a brāhmaṇa—commonly understood as Viṣṇu as Vāmana, who approaches Bali in a brāhmaṇa guise.
It frames the Vāmana narrative as something to be sung—an “excellent, melodious song”—highlighting kīrtana/stuti (praising through recitation and song) as a mode of devotion.
The verse implicitly honors humility and sacred disguise: the supreme can appear in simple, socially revered forms, inviting reverence, restraint, and discernment rather than pride in power or appearance.