Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 37
Manifestation of the Śrī Vāsudeva Hymn in the Glory of Guru-tīrtha
Cyavana Narrative within the Vena Episode
श्रोष्याम्यहं यदा भद्र गतिं स्वां प्राप्नुयां तदा । पुण्यात्मना भाषितं वै मुनिना संयतात्मना
śroṣyāmyahaṃ yadā bhadra gatiṃ svāṃ prāpnuyāṃ tadā | puṇyātmanā bhāṣitaṃ vai muninā saṃyatātmanā
اے نیک بخت! جب میں اپنی مقدر کی منزل کو پا لوں گا، تب میں یقیناً وہ کلام سنوں گا جو پاکیزہ نفس، ضبطِ نفس والے مُنی نے فرمایا تھا۔
Unspecified (speaker not identifiable from the single verse alone)
Concept: Right hearing (śravaṇa) ripens when one reaches one’s proper spiritual condition; teachings spoken by a self-restrained sage bear enduring authority.
Application: Do not rush sacred understanding; cultivate restraint and readiness, and seek teachings from disciplined, virtuous guides.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A contemplative figure speaks softly to a noble listener, eyes lowered in reverence, as if acknowledging that true teachings are heard fully only when one’s inner state matures. In the background, a serene sage sits in meditation, symbolizing the ‘saṃyatātmā muni’ whose words endure beyond time.","primary_figures":["Unspecified speaker (devotee/listener figure)","Unspecified noble addressee","Self-restrained sage (muni) in vignette"],"setting":"Quiet hermitage courtyard with a small fire altar, prayer beads, and a shaded tree; the sage appears seated on kusa grass near a simple hut.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["soft white","pale gold","sage green","smoky blue","earth ochre"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: serene hermitage scene with gold-leaf aura around the meditating muni; the speaking figure and noble listener in respectful poses; ornate arch and border, warm gold and ivory tones emphasizing śānta-rasa and the sanctity of disciplined speech.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tranquil ashram with delicate foliage and a calm sky; the muni seated in meditation, two figures conversing quietly; cool blues and greens, refined expressions, a sense of time slowing as destiny and listening converge.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic meditating sage with bold outlines and stylized eyes; warm yellow and green pigments; the listener figure shown with folded hands; rhythmic border patterns suggesting mantra and restraint.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central medallion of the meditating muni; surrounding panels show the listener awaiting ‘gati’; lotus borders and conch motifs; deep blue with gold highlights to suggest the timelessness of śravaṇa-bhakti."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["silence","soft tanpura","distant flowing water","occasional temple bell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्रोष्यामि + अहम् → श्रोष्याम्यहम्
FAQs
It suggests that truly receiving a sage’s teaching is linked with reaching one’s proper spiritual state or maturity—hearing becomes meaningful when one is inwardly prepared.
These epithets establish the authority of the instruction: the speaker emphasizes that the teaching comes from a morally pure (puṇyātman) and disciplined (saṃyatātman) seer.
It highlights reverence for disciplined wisdom and implies that self-restraint and virtue are prerequisites for understanding and benefiting from sacred discourse.