Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 15
Qualities and Faults of Heaven; Karma-Bhumi vs Phala-Bhumi; Turning to Viṣṇu’s Supreme Abode
अतएव हि नेच्छंति स्वर्गप्राप्तिं मनीषिणः । आब्रह्मसदनादूर्ध्वं तद्विष्णोः परमं पदम्
ataeva hi necchaṃti svargaprāptiṃ manīṣiṇaḥ | ābrahmasadanādūrdhvaṃ tadviṣṇoḥ paramaṃ padam
اسی لیے اہلِ دانش سُوَرگ کی حصول کی خواہش نہیں کرتے؛ کیونکہ برہما کے سدن سے بھی اوپر وشنو کا وہی پرم پد—سب سے اعلیٰ دھام ہے۔
Unspecified (narrative voice within Adhyaya 95; exact dialogue speaker not provided in the input excerpt).
Concept: The wise reject svarga as a limited reward and seek Viṣṇu’s supreme state beyond Brahmaloka.
Application: Reframe goals: prioritize practices that deepen devotion and purity over reward-seeking religiosity; perform duties without bargaining for heaven.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Sages with calm faces turn away from glittering svarga-palaces and gaze toward a far, luminous horizon where Viṣṇu’s parama-pada shines like an eternal dawn. A vertical axis of worlds is shown: below, jeweled heavens; above, an unearthly, serene realm marked by the śaṅkha-cakra emblem and a lotus-gate that suggests non-return.","primary_figures":["wise sages (manīṣiṇaḥ)","Viṣṇu (as distant presiding presence or emblematic)"],"setting":"cosmic ladder of realms—svarga terraces below, a transcendent Vaikuṇṭha-like expanse above","lighting_mood":"pure, steady divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","white-gold","lotus pink","pale turquoise","soft silver"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sages in the lower panel gently turning away from ornate svarga pavilions; upper panel shows Viṣṇu’s parama-pada as a gold-leaf mandala-gate with śaṅkha-cakra symbols and a serene Vishnu silhouette; heavy gold leaf for the transcendent realm, rich reds/greens for svarga opulence, and a clear compositional separation to show renunciation.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate sages on a terrace of clouds, pointing toward a distant, minimalist luminous realm; svarga rendered with fine architectural detail and jewel tones, while parama-pada is rendered with airy washes and a subtle Vishnu emblem; refined faces, lyrical clouds, and gentle motion of turning away.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized sages with folded hands; svarga motifs in patterned bands below; above, a circular Vaikuṇṭha mandala with bold outlines, red/yellow/green pigments, and a central śaṅkha-cakra-lotus emblem; strong symmetry and temple-wall grandeur.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: deep blue field with lotus borders; lower register shows ornate heavenly courts; upper center shows a radiant lotus-gate with Vishnu symbols, peacocks and floral vines framing the ascent; intricate gold detailing and repeating lotus motifs to signify ‘parama padam’."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft conch","temple bells at phrase endings","silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ataeva = ataḥ + eva; necchaṃti = na + icchanti (sandhi with initial vowel); ābrahmasadanādūrdhvaṃ = ā-brahmasadanāt + ūrdhvam; tadviṣṇoḥ = tat + viṣṇoḥ.
FAQs
Because heaven is a high but temporary result within the cosmos, whereas the supreme goal is Viṣṇu’s highest abode/state (paramaṁ padam), which is beyond even Brahmā’s realm.
It indicates transcendence beyond the highest created world (often associated with Brahmaloka/Satyaloka), pointing to a supra-cosmic, ultimate destination identified here as Viṣṇu’s supreme padam.
It urges prioritizing the highest spiritual aim over prestigious but finite rewards—cultivating discernment (viveka) so one seeks liberation/ultimate refuge rather than temporary enjoyment.