Padma Purana — Srishti Khanda, Shloka 147
Puṣkara Mahatmya: Brahmā’s Lotus-Tīrtha, Sacrifice, Initiation, and Kṣetra-Dharma
नरो नरकगामी स्याद्यश्च सद्व्रतदूषकः । असंतुष्टं भिन्नचित्तं दुर्मतिं पापकारिणम्
naro narakagāmī syādyaśca sadvratadūṣakaḥ | asaṃtuṣṭaṃ bhinnacittaṃ durmatiṃ pāpakāriṇam
Người khinh chê các giới nguyện chân chính ắt sa vào địa ngục—bất mãn, tâm trí phân tán, tà kiến và làm điều tội lỗi.
Unspecified (context needed from surrounding verses; likely within a Purāṇic dialogue narration)
Concept: Disparaging righteous vows (sad-vrata) leads to naraka because it springs from discontent, divided mind, and sinful intent—undermining dharma at its root.
Application: Treat others’ spiritual disciplines with respect; if you cannot follow a vow, refrain from mocking it; cultivate santoṣa and ekāgratā through small consistent observances.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A man with a split, wavering gaze laughs at a group of quiet vow-keepers, but behind him a dark chasm opens like the mouth of naraka, hinting at the unseen karmic recoil. The vow-keepers hold simple offerings—water pot, lamp, and tulasi garland—radiating calm steadiness against his restless aura.","primary_figures":["vow-keepers (vratins)","a vrata-dūṣaka (mocking man)","personified Naraka shadow"],"setting":"A riverbank ghat near a small shrine where vratins perform simple daily observances; the ground behind the mocker cracks into symbolic darkness.","lighting_mood":"storm-brewing twilight","color_palette":["smoky violet","iron gray","lamp-amber","river-teal","cloth-white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central group of serene vratins with lamps and water pots before a small Viṣṇu shrine; to one side a mocking figure with agitated posture; behind him a stylized dark Naraka fissure; gold leaf highlights on lamps, shrine arch, and sacred marks, rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry on devotees, dramatic contrast between radiance and shadow.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined figures on a ghat with delicate lines; the mocker shown with slightly distorted, restless expression; a symbolic dark ravine painted subtly behind; cool mountain palette, lyrical river, soft sky gradients, emphasis on psychological contrast.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; vratins in calm symmetrical arrangement with lamp and kalaśa; the mocker in angular stance; Naraka as a stylized black-red mouth-like form; natural pigments, temple-wall composition, strong reds/yellows/greens with deep black for the abyss.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a Vaishnava courtyard with floral borders; vratins encircle a lamp like a mandala; the mocker stands outside the circle near a painted dark whirlpool motif; lotus and tulasi patterns woven into the border, deep blues and gold, intricate textile-like detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["distant thunder","conch shell warning note","quick mridang pulse","river water undercurrent"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्याद्यः = स्यात् + यः; यश्च = यः + च.
FAQs
It warns that ridiculing or undermining righteous vows (sat-vrata) leads to moral decline—discontent, mental instability, corrupt judgment, and sinful action—culminating in hellish consequences.
It links wrongdoing with inner states: dissatisfaction (asaṃtuṣṭa), a divided or unstable mind (bhinna-citta), and distorted intellect (durmati), suggesting that ethical failure is rooted in mental and emotional disorder.
Vratas are treated as dharmic disciplines that purify conduct and intention; to defile or disparage them is portrayed as an act that erodes reverence for dharma and encourages sinful behavior.