Shloka 143
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
निरामिषं च यत्किंचित्तस्माद्यद्यत्फलं लभेत् । तस्माद्गौः सर्वकार्येषु शस्त एको युगेयुगे
nirāmiṣaṃ ca yatkiṃcittasmādyadyatphalaṃ labhet | tasmādgauḥ sarvakāryeṣu śasta eko yugeyuge
وأيّ ثمرةٍ تُنال من أيّ نسكٍ لا عنف فيه، أي من الامتناع عن اللحم؛ فلذلك تُمدَح البقرة وحدها في جميع الأعمال، في كلّ عصرٍ وعبر كلّ يوجا.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Ahimsa and sāttvika conduct culminate in honoring the cow as a central support of dharmic undertakings.
Application: Adopt non-violent diet; support cow-care ethically (gośālā service, mindful consumption); use gavyas in prescribed ritual contexts without cruelty.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tranquil pastoral scene where a radiant cow stands at the center as devotees offer water and garlands, while a sage teaches that non-violent observances bear fruit and that the cow is praised in every age. In the background, a small Viṣṇu shrine and a tulasī plant suggest that compassion and purity are inseparable from devotion.","primary_figures":["cow (gauḥ)","sage/teacher","devotees","Viṣṇu (small shrine icon)"],"setting":"Forest-edge pasture near an āśrama with a simple shrine, grazing calves, and ritual vessels for pañcagavya symbolism.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["pasture green","cream white","sunrise gold","sky blue","saffron"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central sacred cow adorned with garlands and gold ornaments, devotees in añjali, a small Viṣṇu icon with gold leaf halo in the shrine behind; rich reds and greens, gem-like detailing on ornaments, ornate arch and floral borders emphasizing auspiciousness.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical pastoral āśrama landscape with delicate cows and calves, sage seated under a tree teaching; cool mountain-like palette with warm dawn highlights; refined faces and gentle naturalism; small shrine tucked into the scene.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized cow with decorative patterns, sage and devotees with expressive eyes; warm ochres and reds with green fields; temple-wall aesthetic with symmetrical composition and ritual vessels.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: sacred cow as central motif framed by lotus and creeper borders; deep blue background with gold highlights; peacocks and floral garlands; a small Viṣṇu/Śālagrāma motif above, integrating cow-veneration into Vaiṣṇava devotional iconography."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["cow bells","morning birds","soft temple bells","rustling leaves","gentle conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yatkiṃcit → yat + kiṃcit; tasmādyadyatphalam → tasmāt + yat + yat + phalam; tasmādgauḥ → tasmāt + gauḥ; yugeyuge → yuge + yuge.
FAQs
It links the spiritual “fruit” gained from meatless/non-violent observances with the broader dharmic ideal of protecting and honoring the cow, presenting go-sevā as a timeless virtue.
The verse frames the cow as universally auspicious and ethically significant—an emblem of sustenance and non-violence—hence commended across all dharmic activities.
Ahimsa and compassionate stewardship: avoiding harm (including abstaining from meat) and honoring life-supporting beings is portrayed as a perennial standard of righteousness across the yugas.