Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 24
Qualities and Faults of Heaven; Karma-Bhumi vs Phala-Bhumi; Turning to Viṣṇu’s Supreme Abode
राजानो धर्मशीलाश्च महायज्ञैर्यजंति ते । सर्वदानानि दीयंते यज्ञेषु नृपनंदन
rājāno dharmaśīlāśca mahāyajñairyajaṃti te | sarvadānāni dīyaṃte yajñeṣu nṛpanaṃdana
اے نرپ نندن! جو راجے دھرم پر قائم ہیں وہ مہایَجْن کرتے ہیں؛ اور اُن یَجْنوں میں ہر قسم کے دان اور خیرات عطا کی جاتی ہے۔
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed to identify Pulastya–Bhīṣma or Śiva–Pārvatī frame).
Concept: Rājadharma is fulfilled through dharma-niṣṭhā and public yajñas accompanied by comprehensive charity.
Application: Treat resources and authority as trusteeship: pair any ‘achievement’ or ‘ritual’ (projects, ceremonies, milestones) with tangible giving—food support, education aid, and respectful honoring of teachers/elders.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dharma-minded king presides over a grand yajña where priests chant beside a blazing altar, while attendants distribute gifts to assembled brāhmaṇas and the poor. The scene balances royal authority with humility—hands extended in dāna as sacred smoke rises toward Viṣṇu’s unseen presence.","primary_figures":["dharmaśīla rājā (king)","ṛtvij brāhmaṇas","reciters with veda-pustakas","beneficiaries receiving dāna","symbolic presence of Viṣṇu as yajña-puruṣa"],"setting":"Vedic yajña-śālā in a royal courtyard, kusa-grass strewn, ladles and soma vessels arranged, gift piles (cloth, grain, gold) at the side.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["saffron orange","smoke gray","gold leaf","ivory white","deep maroon"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a regal yajña scene with the king offering oblations into a square fire-altar, priests in white dhotis chanting, heaps of cloth and gold as dāna, subtle Vishnu aura above the flames; heavy gold leaf embellishment on crowns, altar borders, and ornaments; rich reds and greens, gem-studded jewelry, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a lyrical court-yajña in a palace courtyard, delicate brushwork showing curling smoke, refined faces of priests, the king seated respectfully with folded hands between offerings; cool yet warm-balanced palette, fine textile patterns, distant hills and flowering trees framing the sacrificial pavilion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments depicting the yajña-śālā, the king and brāhmaṇas in frontal clarity, stylized flames, and a faint Vishnu halo above; temple-wall aesthetic with red/yellow/green dominance and characteristic large eyes.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Vishnu as yajña-puruṣa implied in a central lotus medallion above the altar, surrounded by ornate floral borders; attendants distributing dāna, peacocks and lotuses at the margins, deep blues and gold accents, intricate textile-like patterning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["vedic chanting","crackling fire","soft temple bells","conch shell at intervals","murmur of an assembly"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: धर्मशीलाश्च = धर्मशीलाः + च; महायज्ञैर्यजन्ति = महायज्ञैः + यजन्ति; दीयंते = दीयन्ते (लिप्यन्तर/वर्तनी-भेद); नृपनंदन = नृपनन्दन (अनुस्वार-प्रयोग)
FAQs
It portrays the ideal king as dharma-centered—one who upholds righteousness through major sacrificial rites and supports society through generous giving.
The verse treats sacrifice as a public, dharmic institution where generosity is integral—offerings, fees, and charitable distributions accompany ritual worship and sustain social-religious order.
Leadership is measured not only by ritual or authority but by ethical conduct and tangible generosity—using resources for the welfare of others.