Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 13
Yayāti Ensnared by Desire: Gandharva Marriage, Aśvamedha, and the Demand to See the Worlds
उपयेमे सुतां पुण्यां मन्मथस्य नरोत्तम । तया सार्द्धं महात्मा वै रमते नृपनंदनः
upayeme sutāṃ puṇyāṃ manmathasya narottama | tayā sārddhaṃ mahātmā vai ramate nṛpanaṃdanaḥ
وہ نرُوتّم نے منمتھ کی پاکیزہ بیٹی سے نکاح کیا؛ اور اسی کے ساتھ وہ مہاتما راجکمار بے شک مسرّت میں رہتا ہے۔
Unspecified narrator (contextual narration within the Adhyaya; specific dialogue pair not identifiable from this single verse alone).
Concept: Even an auspicious marriage can become a doorway to attachment if not governed by dharma and self-restraint.
Application: Honor relationships as sacred, but keep daily disciplines (japa, seva, vrata) so affection does not harden into possessiveness.
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A royal wedding moment: the ‘best of men’ takes the virtuous daughter of Manmatha by the hand before a sacred fire, while celestial blossoms drift down. The bride’s presence subtly radiates Kāma’s enchantment—soft, perfumed air and a faint bow-and-flower motif—hinting that delight may turn to delusion.","primary_figures":["Yayāti (as nṛpa)","Daughter of Manmatha","Agni (wedding fire)","Attendant sages/priest","Celestial gandharvas (optional)"],"setting":"Palace courtyard mandapa with vedic altar, garlands, conch and lamp stands, silk canopies, lotus motifs on pillars.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["lotus pink","saffron gold","emerald green","ivory white","deep maroon"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: royal wedding of Yayāti with Manmatha’s virtuous daughter in a palace mandapa, Agni-kunda centered, gold leaf halos and ornate arch, rich reds and greens, gem-studded jewelry, stylized lotus pillars, delicate floral rain from heavens, subtle bow-and-flower emblem of Kāma worked into the border, high-relief gold embellishment.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate marriage scene in a garden-palace courtyard, delicate brushwork and refined faces, soft pastel textiles, priests by the fire, distant hills and flowering trees, lyrical naturalism, a discreet Kāma motif on the bride’s veil, cool shadows and gentle light.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined figures of the king and bride beside the sacred fire, symmetrical composition, temple-wall aesthetic, large expressive eyes, red/yellow/green palette, ornamental borders with lotus and creepers, divine aura suggested by concentric halos.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: celebratory mandapa with lotus borders and floral vines, deep blue background with gold detailing, attendants and musicians, peacocks at the edges, ornate textile patterns; include a subtle Vaishnava cue—Shaligrama or Vishnu emblem on a banner—contrasting worldly marriage with divine remembrance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell","soft mridanga","murmured mantra","crackling fire"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: उपयेमे (लिट् रूप, उप+या); नरोत्तम = नर+उत्तम (ओ-गुणसन्धि); नृपनंदनः = नृप+नन्दनः (अनुस्वार/नकारसन्धि)
FAQs
Manmatha is Kāma, the deity associated with love and desire; the verse identifies the bride as his daughter.
It narrates a marriage: a distinguished man weds Manmatha’s virtuous daughter and lives happily with her.
The verse frames marriage as a socially and morally sanctioned union (a dharmic bond), highlighting virtue (puṇyā) and rightful companionship.