Shloka 23
Prohibitions and Rules of Right Conduct (Ācāra): Theft, Speech, Purity, Residence, and Social Boundaries
पुण्या वा विश्रुता नद्यस्तत्र वा निवसेद्द्विजः । अर्द्धकोशं नदीकूलं वर्जयित्वा द्विजोत्तमः
puṇyā vā viśrutā nadyastatra vā nivaseddvijaḥ | arddhakośaṃ nadīkūlaṃ varjayitvā dvijottamaḥ
يجوز للمرء من ذوي الولادتين أن يقيم قرب الأنهار المقدّسة أو المشهورة؛ ولكن، يا أفضل الدويجا، فليتجنّب السكنى ضمن نصف كروشا من ضفّة النهر.
Unspecified (contextual narrator/instructor within the Svarga-khaṇḍa dialogue)
Concept: Sacred rivers are fit for residence and worship, but one should maintain a respectful/prudent distance from the immediate bank.
Application: Honor sacred spaces without exploiting them: visit rivers for snāna, japa, and offerings, but live with ecological prudence—avoid erosion/flood zones, keep waterways clean, and maintain respectful boundaries around public sacred resources.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene sacred river curves through a landscape where a dvija’s cottage sits set back on higher ground, while the immediate bank is left open for pilgrims performing snāna and offering lamps. The composition emphasizes respectful distance: a measured path from home to ghāṭa, with trees and a small shrine marking the half-krośa boundary.","primary_figures":["pilgrims performing snāna","a dvija householder","a river goddess presence (subtle, symbolic)"],"setting":"river ghāṭa with steps, lamps, banyan and aśvattha trees, a small Viṣṇu shrine, cottages on raised ground beyond","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["river teal","moon silver","lamp-flame amber","banyan green","stone gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: moonlit river ghāṭa with rows of oil lamps, pilgrims at the water, dvija dwelling placed farther back on a raised terrace, gold leaf highlights on lamps and shrine, rich jewel tones, ornate border with wave and lotus motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tranquil river bend with delicate reflections, small figures bathing, a cottage set back amid trees, soft moonlight wash, refined facial features, cool blues/greens with warm lamp accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized ghāṭa and river goddess motif, bold outlines, rhythmic lamp patterns, strong reds/yellows/greens, narrative clarity showing ‘near bank’ vs ‘set-back residence’.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative river festival-like ghāṭa scene with lotus borders, many lamps floating, small Viṣṇu shrine, peacocks and floral vines, deep indigo cloth with gold and saffron highlights."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","soft cymbals","evening temple bell","crickets","distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नद्यस्तत्र = नद्यः तत्र; निवसेद्द्विजः = निवसेत् द्विजः; अर्द्धकोशं = अर्द्ध-कोशम्; नदीकूलं = नदी-कूलम्; द्विजोत्तमः = द्विज-उत्तमः.
FAQs
It permits dwelling near holy or renowned rivers, but sets a cautionary boundary: one should not reside too close to the riverbank (within half a krośa), implying regulated proximity to sacred waters.
Traditional dharma texts often regulate residence near waterways for reasons of purity, safety (flooding/erosion), and maintaining disciplined conduct around tirtha zones; this verse encodes such a boundary in a measurable distance.
Sacred places are to be approached with reverence and restraint: one may benefit from proximity to holy geography, yet should observe limits that protect both personal discipline and the sanctity of the site.