Shloka 35
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
पिशुनो यस्तु विप्राणां रंध्रान्वेषणतत्परः । तं दृष्ट्वाप्यथवा स्पृष्ट्वा सचेलो जलमाविशेत्
piśuno yastu viprāṇāṃ raṃdhrānveṣaṇatatparaḥ | taṃ dṛṣṭvāpyathavā spṛṣṭvā sacelo jalamāviśet
الوشّاءُ الذي يلازم تتبّع عيوب البراهمة—إذا رآه المرء، أو حتى بعد أن يمسّه—فليدخل الماء وهو لابسٌ ثيابه للتطهّر.
Unspecified (narrative injunction in the chapter context)
Concept: Slandering brāhmaṇas (fault-finding, pīśunatā) is a contaminating speech-act; one should avoid contact and perform immediate purification.
Application: Do not indulge in gossip about teachers, elders, or sincere practitioners; if drawn into it, disengage, seek inner correction, and adopt a ‘speech fast’ (mauna) or mantra-japa as practical śuddhi.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On a quiet river ghat, a traveler recoils after brushing past a whispering slanderer whose face is half-hidden, then steps into the water fully clothed, hands folded in a quick prayer for inner cleansing. Ripples spread outward like the restoration of social harmony, while a small shrine lamp flickers on the steps.","primary_figures":["A traveler/devotee (symbolic)","A slanderer (pīśuna)","A ghat-side shrine deity emblem (Viṣṇu/Śālagrāma or a simple lamp)"],"setting":"Stone steps of a river ghat with a small niche-shrine, banyan shade, and a path leading to a village.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["river jade","sandstone beige","saffron gold","leaf green","lamp-flame amber"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: ghat steps with ornate border, a devotee entering water in wet garments, hands in añjali; small shrine with gold leaf lamp and subtle Viṣṇu symbols; rich reds/greens in textiles, gold embossing on shrine arch, stylized water with shimmering gold highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical dawn at a river ghat, delicate ripples, soft mist; the devotee’s modest gesture of purification, the slanderer rendered as a muted figure in the background; cool greens and pale golds, refined facial expressions, gentle naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, flat pigments; devotee stepping into stylized water bands, garments indicated with patterned blocks; shrine lamp with bright yellow-red; expressive eyes and clear gesture language; temple-wall composition with decorative borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: river ghat scene framed by lotus and tulasi garlands; patterned water, decorative birds along the border; central devotee in añjali entering water; deep blue-green background with gold accents, intricate floral motifs emphasizing purification."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","morning birds","soft bell from ghat shrine","gentle ankle-bell chime"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यस्तु = यः + तु; रंध्रान्वेषणतत्परः = रन्ध्र + अन्वेषण + तत्परः (समास); दृष्ट्वापि = दृष्ट्वा + अपि; जलमाविशेत् = जलम् + आविशेत्.
FAQs
It condemns slander and fault-finding—especially directed at brāhmaṇas—and treats such association as spiritually contaminating, requiring purification.
It indicates an immediate, formal act of purification (śauca) after contact—by sight or touch—with a person characterized as a malicious backbiter.
The wording specifically mentions brāhmaṇas (viprāṇām), but the broader dharmic principle discourages malicious speech and obsessive fault-hunting toward any virtuous or respected person.