Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 21
Bala: The Rise and Slaying of the Dānava
and the Devas’ Restoration
एवमाकर्ण्य वै तस्याः कश्यपो वाक्यमुत्तमम् । कृपाविष्टमनास्तुष्टो दुःखिताया द्विजोत्तम
evamākarṇya vai tasyāḥ kaśyapo vākyamuttamam | kṛpāviṣṭamanāstuṣṭo duḥkhitāyā dvijottama
Nghe những lời cao quý ấy, Kaśyapa—bậc tối thượng trong hàng dvija—tâm tràn lòng từ mẫn, vừa hoan hỷ vừa xúc động trước nỗi sầu của người phụ nữ khốn khổ kia.
Narrator (contextual description of Kaśyapa’s response after hearing a woman’s plea)
Concept: True spiritual authority responds to suffering with kṛpā; compassion is not weakness but the fragrance of tapas and wisdom.
Application: Listen to others’ pain without haste; let competence be guided by empathy. Offer practical help and blessings rather than judgment.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Kaśyapa, serene and luminous, turns toward a sorrowful woman whose posture is bowed under grief. His expression softens; the air feels still, as if the hermitage itself pauses to receive compassion, and the promise of relief begins to dawn.","primary_figures":["Sage Kaśyapa","sorrowful woman"],"setting":"Quiet āśrama grove with a simple seat, sacred fire nearby, and a path leading toward distant mountains.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["soft amber","sage green","bark brown","ash white","sky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Sage Kaśyapa with a gentle golden aura inclines toward a grieving woman; gold leaf on halo, sacred thread, and ritual vessels; rich maroon backdrop with stylized foliage; ornate border and jewel-like detailing on garments, emphasizing compassion through facial expression and hand gesture.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tender moment—Kaśyapa’s calm face and the woman’s tearful eyes rendered with delicate brushwork; dappled light through trees, pale blue hills in distance; restrained palette and lyrical naturalism conveying quiet mercy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Kaśyapa seated with composed posture, woman kneeling; bold outlines, warm yellow-red tones, green foliage patterns; expressive eyes and minimal background elements to focus on the compassionate exchange.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central compassionate sage scene framed by lotus and creeper borders; peacocks and floral motifs; deep indigo ground with gold highlights; symbolic Vaishnava auspicious motifs (śrīvatsa-like patterns) subtly integrated into the border to suggest grace"}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["wind in leaves","low temple bell","soft silence","distant flowing water (implied)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: एवम्+आकर्ण्य → एवमाकर्ण्य (स्वर-सन्धि); वाक्यम्+उत्तमम् → वाक्यमुत्तमम् (अकार-सन्धि); कृपा+आविष्ट+मनाः → कृपाविष्टमनाः (समास/सन्धि)।
FAQs
Kaśyapa is a revered Vedic sage (ṛṣi), here described as dvijottama, “best among the twice-born,” indicating his Brahmin-sage status and spiritual authority.
It portrays a compassionate response: Kaśyapa listens attentively, feels mercy (kṛpā), and is pleased by her words while being affected by her suffering.
The verse models dhārmic listening and empathy: a wise person responds to another’s distress with compassion, not indifference, and honors truthful or worthy speech.