Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 47
The Yayāti Episode
with the Glory of Mātā–Pitṛ Tīrtha
भुंक्ष्व राज्यं मया दत्तं सुपुण्यं हतकंटकम् । पूरुरुवाच । राज्यं देवे न भोक्तव्यं पित्रा भुक्तं यथा तव
bhuṃkṣva rājyaṃ mayā dattaṃ supuṇyaṃ hatakaṃṭakam | pūruruvāca | rājyaṃ deve na bhoktavyaṃ pitrā bhuktaṃ yathā tava
“میری عطا کردہ اس سلطنت سے بہرہ مند ہو—یہ نہایت پُنیہ والی اور کانٹوں سے پاک (دشمنوں اور آفتوں سے بےخطر) ہے۔” پورو نے کہا: “اے دیوتا صفت! جس راج کو باپ پہلے بھوگ چکا ہو، اسے بیٹے کو قبول و بھوگ نہیں کرنا چاہیے—جیسے وہ تم نے بھوگا تھا۔”
Pūru (replying in dialogue)
Concept: Even a prosperous kingdom is not to be seized if it violates propriety; restraint and reverence for elders define true nobility.
Application: Decline benefits gained through questionable means; honor boundaries and seniority; practice ‘ethical refusal’ even when temptation is strong.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Yayāti offers the ‘thornless’ kingdom with an open-handed gesture, the throne and regalia gleaming behind him. Pūru stands firm, palms joined, eyes lowered in reverence yet unwavering—his refusal depicted not as defiance but as luminous self-control, as if a calm aura surrounds him.","primary_figures":["Pūru","Yayāti","court sages/counsellors"],"setting":"Royal court with visible symbols of sovereignty—throne, umbrella, fly-whisks—contrasted with Pūru’s simple composure.","lighting_mood":"serene lamp-lit","color_palette":["soft gold","sandalwood beige","deep lapis","white jasmine","copper brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: opulent throne room with gold-leaf canopy, jeweled crown and royal umbrella; Yayāti extending a scroll or royal seal; Pūru in modest yet noble attire with a subtle halo of calm; rich reds/greens, embossed ornaments, and gold borders emphasizing dharma over artha.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined court interior with delicate textiles; Pūru’s añjali and downcast gaze rendered with psychological nuance; muted palette with lapis accents, thin architectural lines, and a quiet negative space around Pūru to symbolize detachment.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic throne and attendants, bold outlines; Pūru’s serenity emphasized by symmetrical posture and gentle facial expression; warm reds/yellows with green and blue garments, temple-wall aesthetic conveying moral archetype.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central scene framed by lotus and vine borders; throne and regalia stylized as ornate motifs; Pūru’s calm aura depicted with concentric floral patterns; deep blues and gold, devotional ornamentation transforming a political moment into a dharma tableau."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft temple bells","gentle conch at cadence","quiet court ambience"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भुंक्ष्व → भुङ्क्ष्व (अनुस्वार-लोप/लेखनभेद); पूरुरुवाच → पूरुः उवाच (विसर्ग-लोप).
FAQs
It frames kingship as a moral trust tied to lineage and propriety: one should not grasp authority in a way that violates filial order or the dignity of one’s father.
Literally “with thorns removed,” it suggests a realm cleared of obstacles—such as enemies, internal unrest, or administrative troubles—making it easier to govern.
He argues that a kingdom already enjoyed by the father should not be appropriated by the son in an improper manner, emphasizing restraint and dharmic succession.