Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 47
Karmas Leading to Hell and Heaven
Ethical Catalog of Destinies
यूका मत्कुणदंशादीन्ये जंतूंस्तुदतस्तनुम् । पुत्रवत्परिरक्षंति ते नराः स्वर्गगामिनः
yūkā matkuṇadaṃśādīnye jaṃtūṃstudatastanum | putravatparirakṣaṃti te narāḥ svargagāminaḥ
جو مرد جوئیں، کھٹمل، مچھر وغیرہ جانداروں کو—اگرچہ وہ بدن کو کاٹیں اور ڈنک ماریں—اپنے بیٹوں کی طرح بچاتے ہیں، وہ سُوَرگ کے گامی ہوتے ہیں۔
Unspecified (contextual narrator within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa dialogue)
Concept: Radical ahiṃsā and dayā: protecting even biting insects as one would protect one’s own child leads to svarga.
Application: Adopt non-harm practices: avoid needless killing, use gentle relocation methods, maintain cleanliness without cruelty, cultivate patience when irritated.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A compassionate man gently cups a tiny insect in his palms, shielding it from harm, while mosquitoes and small creatures hover around without being struck. The scene contrasts a raised hand poised to swat—stilled mid-air—against the devotee’s calm gaze, as a subtle celestial path opens above, suggesting svarga earned through mercy.","primary_figures":["compassionate devotee","small insects (mosquito, louse, bedbug as symbolic forms)","celestial attendants (subtle, in background)"],"setting":"Simple home courtyard with a water pot, a small tulasī planter, and a quiet corner where creatures gather.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm ochre","leaf green","pearl white","sky blue","soft gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central figure with compassionate gesture, palms protecting a tiny creature; ornate gold leaf background forming a lotus-shaped svarga aura, rich reds and greens in textiles, delicate gold detailing on a small tulasī maṇḍapa, celestial attendants faintly visible with gold halos.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard scene with delicate brushwork; tiny insects rendered with fine dots, the devotee’s expression soft and restrained; cool morning palette, flowering plants and a small tulasī pot, distant hills and a pale luminous sky-path suggesting svarga.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized figure with large expressive eyes, bold outlines; insects depicted as symbolic motifs near the body, the raised swatting hand shown halted by a calm mudrā of protection; red-yellow-green pigments, floral borders, and a faint celestial arch overhead.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional courtyard with lotus borders; tulasī plant prominent, peacocks at the edges, intricate floral patterns; the compassionate act centered, with a subtle Vaishnava aura—deep blue background and gold highlights indicating divine approval."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["birds","soft temple bells","courtyard ambience","gentle wind"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मत्कुणदंशादीन्ये = मत्कुणदंशादीनि + ये; जंतूंस्तुदतस्तनुम् = जन्तून् + तुदतः + तनुम्; पुत्रवत्परिरक्षंति = पुत्रवत् + परिरक्षन्ति (परिरक्षंति लेख्यरूपम्)
FAQs
It teaches radical ahiṁsā (non-harm) and compassion: even creatures that cause discomfort should be protected rather than harmed.
It highlights the difficulty of true non-violence by choosing beings that commonly provoke anger; restraint and kindness in such cases are presented as especially meritorious.
The verse states that those who protect such beings attain svarga (heaven), indicating that compassionate conduct is a dharmic cause of auspicious posthumous destiny.