Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 19
Karmas Leading to Hell and Heaven
Ethical Catalog of Destinies
नियमान्पूर्वमादाय ये पश्चादजितेंद्रियाः । अतिक्रामंति चांचल्यात्ते वै निरयगामिनः
niyamānpūrvamādāya ye paścādajiteṃdriyāḥ | atikrāmaṃti cāṃcalyātte vai nirayagāminaḥ
جو لوگ پہلے دینی ضبط و پابندیاں اختیار کرتے ہیں، پھر بعد میں حواس پر قابو نہ پا کر بے ثباتی سے ان کی خلاف ورزی کرتے ہیں—وہ یقیناً دوزخ میں جاتے ہیں۔
Unknown (context not provided; likely within a Pulastya–Bhīṣma instructional discourse in Bhūmi-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Undertaking niyamas and then violating them due to uncontrolled senses and fickleness leads to naraka; steadiness (dhṛti) is essential.
Application: Take only sustainable vows; set clear boundaries, accountability, and daily sādhana; when lapses occur, do prāyaścitta, renew intention, and avoid hypocrisy.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee stands before a small altar with a vow-thread and water pot, but behind him swirl personified senses—wine, dice, lust, and restlessness—pulling him away. Above, a calm Vishnu emblem (śaṅkha-cakra) shines, suggesting that conquering the inner storm is the true offering.","primary_figures":["wavering votary (symbolic)","personified senses (allegorical figures)","Pulastya (teaching)","Bhīṣma (listening)"],"setting":"simple household shrine with lamp, vow-thread, and a palm-leaf manuscript; background dissolves into an allegorical storm of temptations","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["midnight blue","lamp amber","sandalwood beige","crimson","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: devotee at a shrine holding a saṅkalpa vessel; gold leaf radiance around Vishnu symbols above; temptations rendered as ornate but dark figures at the margins; rich reds/greens, embossed gold borders, gem-studded ornaments contrasting dharma and distraction.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate interior with delicate lines; the devotee’s conflicted expression, soft lamp glow; temptations as translucent, cloud-like figures; cool palette with warm highlights, refined facial features and gentle symbolism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; central shrine and devotee, side panels with personified indriyas; strong red/yellow/green with deep blue background; temple-wall narrative clarity emphasizing moral lesson.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional border of lotuses and vines; central shrine scene with a small Vishnu emblem; surrounding circular medallions depicting the five senses as stylized motifs; deep blue and gold, intricate floral filigree."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["steady tanpura","soft bell at vow-taking","faint wind (temptation motif)","conch shell very distant","silence at cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूर्वमादाय = पूर्वम् + आदाय; पश्चादजितेंद्रियाः = पश्चात् + अजितेन्द्रियाः; चांचल्यात्ते = च + आञ्चल्यात् + ते
FAQs
It warns that taking up vows or disciplines without mastering the senses leads to later transgression, and such inconsistent practice has grave karmic consequences.
“Niyama” refers to adopted restraints/observances, while “ajitendriya” describes one who has not conquered the senses—making their commitment unstable and prone to violation.
Ethical integrity and steadiness matter: one should adopt disciplines with sincerity and self-control, rather than making vows impulsively and then breaking them.