Shloka 2
Protection of Brāhmaṇas
सूत उवाच । ब्राह्मणस्य धनैः प्राणान्प्राणैर्वापि द्विजोत्तम । रक्षां करोति यो मर्त्यो विष्णुलोकं स गच्छति
sūta uvāca | brāhmaṇasya dhanaiḥ prāṇānprāṇairvāpi dvijottama | rakṣāṃ karoti yo martyo viṣṇulokaṃ sa gacchati
قال سوتا: «يا أفضلَ ذوي الولادتين، إنّ المَنيّ الذي يحمي براهمنًا—بماله أو حتى بنفسه—يمضي إلى عالم فيشنو.»
Sūta
Concept: Protecting the vulnerable and upholding dharma—especially safeguarding brāhmaṇas devoted to learning and ritual—becomes a direct cause for attaining Viṣṇu’s world.
Application: Use resources, influence, and even personal risk to protect teachers, caretakers of knowledge, and those targeted unjustly; translate reverence into concrete support.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A righteous householder-king stands between a threatened brāhmaṇa and approaching danger, offering his own cloak and wealth while raising a protective hand. Above, a faint vision of Viṣṇuloka appears—Vishnu’s radiant form on Śeṣa, signaling that dharmic protection is itself worship.","primary_figures":["a brāhmaṇa","a protector (king/householder)","Śrī Viṣṇu (visionary)"],"setting":"Village edge or forest path near an āśrama; simple huts, sacred fire altar, and a protective stance in the foreground.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["ochre","indigo","burnished gold","forest green","ivory"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: foreground hero-protector with ornate yet restrained jewelry, brāhmaṇa with sacred thread and manuscript; background shows a small gilded vision of Viṣṇu on Śeṣa with gold leaf halo; rich reds/greens, embossed gold on crowns and halos, temple-arch framing around the protective act.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: dynamic yet graceful moment—protector shielding the brāhmaṇa on a forest path, delicate linework, soft gradients; distant celestial cloud reveals Viṣṇu’s realm; cool blues and greens with warm sunrise highlights, refined expressions emphasizing courage and compassion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and iconic poses; protector in a strong frontal stance, brāhmaṇa slightly behind; stylized Viṣṇu in a cloud medallion above; red/yellow/green palette with rhythmic patterning and temple-wall feel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central protective tableau framed by floral borders; upper register shows Viṣṇu in a lotus medallion, lower register shows offerings of wealth and a protective gesture; deep blue background with gold detailing and symmetrical ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell (soft)","mridanga accents","rustling leaves","protective shout (implied)","temple bell punctuation"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सूत उवाच→सूतः उवाच; प्राणान्प्राणैर्वापि→प्राणान् प्राणैः वा अपि.
FAQs
It states that one who protects a brāhmaṇa—through wealth or even by sacrificing one’s life—attains Viṣṇu’s realm (Viṣṇuloka).
It emphasizes that protection can range from material support to ultimate self-sacrifice; the merit lies in sincere safeguarding of dharma, not merely in the type of resource used.
It upholds reverence for brāhmaṇas and active defense of righteousness, presenting such service as a direct path to Viṣṇu’s abode.