Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 10
Yayāti’s Ascent to Heaven
and Entry into Vaikuṇṭha
तं धर्मं दृष्टवंतः स्म भवंतं कामरूपिणम् । भवंतं कामकर्तारमीदृशं सत्यवादिनम्
taṃ dharmaṃ dṛṣṭavaṃtaḥ sma bhavaṃtaṃ kāmarūpiṇam | bhavaṃtaṃ kāmakartāramīdṛśaṃ satyavādinam
ہم نے یقیناً اُس دھرم کو دیکھا ہے—یعنی آپ کو—جو اپنی چاہت کے مطابق ہر روپ دھار لیتے ہیں، مرادیں پوری کرتے ہیں، اور ایسے سچ بولنے والے ہیں۔
Unspecified (plural speakers addressing a personified Dharma)
Concept: Dharma is not inert law but a living, responsive principle—capable of manifesting in forms suited to beings, granting appropriate fruits, and anchored in truthfulness.
Application: Treat dharma as living guidance: adapt righteous action to context without abandoning truth; seek desires through dhārmic means so outcomes become purifying rather than binding.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A circle of sages and attendants behold Dharma as a radiant, shape-shifting figure: half-robed ascetic, half-kingly guardian, his form subtly morphing in layered silhouettes. From his truthful mouth emanate luminous syllables, and from his hands flow wish-fulfilling streams that transform into flowers, grain, and protective weapons—each a dhārmic fruit.","primary_figures":["Personified Dharma (kāmarūpin)","Group of astonished sages/companions (speakers of 'vayam')"],"setting":"Forest hermitage clearing with sacrificial fire, kusa grass seats, and a distant glimpse of a Viṣṇu-emblem banner to signal Vaishnava alignment.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["white-gold","saffron","smoky violet","leaf green","crimson"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central personified Dharma with multiple overlapping outlines suggesting transformation, gold leaf radiance bursting from the mouth as sacred syllables, sages seated around with folded hands, ornate floral borders, rich reds/greens, embossed gold patterns and gem-like highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: ethereal forest scene with delicate gradients, Dharma depicted with translucent layered forms (ascetic/king/guardian), sages with expressive wonder, cool greens and violets, fine detailing of fire altar and trees, subtle glow effects.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic frontal Dharma with stylized eyes, multiple form-attributes arranged symmetrically (staff, scripture, lotus, mace), bold outlines, flat saffron/green/red fields, radiant halo rendered in concentric bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Dharma as a central luminous figure framed by lotus and tulasi garlands, intricate border with dharma-chakras, peacocks and cows as auspicious motifs, deep blue ground with gold highlights, flowing calligraphic 'satya' motifs emanating outward."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["conch shell swell","fire crackle","wind through leaves","single bell strike at 'kāmarūpiṇam'","hushed collective breath"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कामकर्तारमीदृशम् = कामकर्तारम् + ईदृशम् (म् + ई → मी).
FAQs
The verse praises Dharma personified—addressed directly as “you”—as truthful (satyavādin) and endowed with extraordinary powers.
It implies the ability to assume forms at will (shape-shifting or adopting any suitable appearance), a common Purāṇic way of expressing divine or superhuman capability.
Truthfulness (satya) is presented as a defining mark of Dharma, suggesting that moral authority is inseparable from truthful speech and integrity.