Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 36
The Yayāti Episode
with the Glory of Mātā–Pitṛ Tīrtha
राजोवाच । यो भवेज्ज्येष्ठपुत्रस्तु पितुर्दुःखापहारकः । राज्यदायं सुभुंक्ते च भारवोढा भवेत्स हि
rājovāca | yo bhavejjyeṣṭhaputrastu piturduḥkhāpahārakaḥ | rājyadāyaṃ subhuṃkte ca bhāravoḍhā bhavetsa hi
بادشاہ نے کہا: “جو بڑا بیٹا ہو، جو باپ کے غم کو دور کرے، وہی حق کے ساتھ سلطنت کی وراثت سے بہرہ مند ہوتا ہے؛ بے شک وہی خاندان کا بوجھ اٹھانے والا بنتا ہے۔”
The King (Rājā)
Concept: Entitlement follows responsibility: the eldest son earns inheritance by removing the father’s sorrow and carrying the family’s burden.
Application: In leadership roles, prioritize relieving elders/mentors’ burdens; accept accountability before claiming benefits, status, or authority.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The king speaks like a lawgiver, one hand raised in instruction, the other resting on a staff symbolizing governance. Behind him, a symbolic tableau shows an eldest son supporting an aged father—an allegory of burden-bearing that legitimizes inheritance.","primary_figures":["The King (Rājā)","Yadu","allegorical eldest son figure","aged father figure"],"setting":"royal sabhā with law-scrolls, weighing scales motif, and a carved relief depicting family duty","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sunlit gold","sandalwood beige","copper brown","jade green","ink black"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: king delivering rājadharma instruction, gold leaf on throne and staff, embossed scroll motifs, a small side-panel allegory of son supporting father, rich reds/greens, jewel-like ornamentation emphasizing authority and duty.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: didactic court scene with gentle colors; the allegory appears as a painted mural within the scene, delicate brushwork, refined faces, calm instructional mood, architectural arches and patterned carpets.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: king in commanding frontal pose, staff and raised hand, symbolic relief of son bearing father rendered in flat mural iconography, bold outlines, warm pigments, temple-wall didactic feel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: rājadharma scene framed by lotus borders; symbolic scales of justice and floral motifs, deep blue and gold accents, decorative scrollwork, peacocks and vines adding ceremonial dignity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"authoritative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["steady mridanga pulse","court bell strike","scroll unfurling sound","measured silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राजोवाच = राजा + उवाच; भवेज्ज्येष्ठपुत्रस्तु = भवेत् + ज्येष्ठपुत्रः + तु; पितुर्दुःखापहारकः = पितुः + दुःखापहारकः; भवेत्स हि = भवेत् + सः + हि।
FAQs
He is portrayed as the one who relieves his father’s distress and carries the weight of responsibility for the family and its estate.
It frames inheritance (rājya-dāya) not merely as a right by birth, but as something rightly enjoyed when paired with service, responsibility, and alleviating the father’s suffering.
Privilege and succession are justified by duty: leadership and property are linked to the readiness to bear burdens and protect family welfare.