Shloka 5
Determination of Expiations for Sexual Transgressions and Improper Associations
अनुगच्छति शूद्रो हि श्वपाकीं च तपोधन । चतुर्गोमिथुनं दद्यात्प्राजापत्यं व्रतं चरेत्
anugacchati śūdro hi śvapākīṃ ca tapodhana | caturgomithunaṃ dadyātprājāpatyaṃ vrataṃ caret
أيها الزاهد الغني بالتقشف، إذا أقام الشودرا علاقة مع امرأة من مجتمع الشفاباكي، فعليه أن يتصدق بأربعة أزواج من الأبقار وأن يؤدي نذر براجاباتيا.
Unspecified (narrative voice within a dharma/expiation instruction; likely within a dialogue context in Brahma-khaṇḍa Adhyaya 18)
Concept: Transgression (especially sexual misconduct framed as varṇa/saṅkara violation) requires proportionate prāyaścitta combining dāna (cow-gifts) and vrata (Prājāpatya) to restore ritual and social order.
Application: Treat ethical breaches as requiring concrete repair: confession, restitution, disciplined self-restraint, and recommitment to purity in conduct; avoid rationalizing ‘delusion’ as excuse.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A somber dharma-assembly: a penitent man stands with lowered gaze before a tapasvī teacher, while four cow-pairs are ceremonially offered with kusa grass and water-libations. In the background, a small fire-altar smolders, suggesting the gravity of expiation and the return to ritual purity.","primary_figures":["penitent householder","tapasvī (ṛṣi/ācārya)","attendant brāhmaṇas","cows (four pairs)"],"setting":"Forest-edge āśrama with a modest yajña-śālā, cow-pen nearby, ritual vessels (kamaṇḍalu, pātra) arranged on a clean platform.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["smoke gray","saffron ochre","earth brown","ivory white","deep maroon"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a solemn āśrama prāyaścitta scene—penitent offering four pairs of white cows to a seated tapasvī guru beside a small homa-kuṇḍa; gold leaf embellishment on ritual vessels, halos for the sage, rich reds/greens in textiles, gem-studded ornaments minimal and restrained, traditional South Indian iconography with crisp frontal composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate brushwork showing a forest hermitage with a small fire-altar; the penitent presents cow-pairs led by attendants; cool natural palette with lyrical trees and distant hills, refined faces conveying shame and compassion, fine linework on kusa grass and water-pot.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; the sage seated near the homa fire, the penitent standing with folded hands; stylized cows in rhythmic rows; temple-wall aesthetic with red/yellow/green dominance and controlled ornamentation to keep the mood austere.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional border of lotus and tulasi motifs framing an āśrama scene; cows rendered with ornate but subdued patterns; central focus on the act of dāna near a small sacred fire, intricate floral borders in deep indigo and gold, peacocks perched quietly to echo moral vigilance."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low temple bells","crackling fire","soft cow-bells","forest wind","brief silence between injunctions"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दद्यात्प्राजापत्यं→दद्यात् + प्राजापत्यम्; चतुर्गोमिथुनं→चतुर् + गोमिथुनम् (समास/पूर्वपद-सन्धि).
FAQs
It is a traditional expiatory observance (prāyaścitta) attributed to Prajāpati, prescribed in dharma literature for purification after certain transgressions, typically involving regulated diet, self-restraint, and religious discipline.
Cow-gifting (go-dāna) is a common purificatory and merit-generating act in Purāṇic and dharma texts; here it functions as part of the expiation, pairing material restitution with a disciplined vow.
The verse frames moral repair as requiring both inner transformation (a vow of restraint) and outward responsibility (a significant act of giving), emphasizing accountability and purification through disciplined practice.