Shloka 36
Rules of Edible and Inedible Foods
गोधा कूर्मः शशः खड्गः सल्लकश्चेति सत्तमाः । भक्ष्यान्पंचनखान्नित्यं मनुराह प्रजापतिः
godhā kūrmaḥ śaśaḥ khaḍgaḥ sallakaśceti sattamāḥ | bhakṣyānpaṃcanakhānnityaṃ manurāha prajāpatiḥ
«الورل، والسلحفاة، والأرنب، ووحيد القرن، والنيص: هذه—يا خير الرجال—مما يُؤكل من ذوات الخمس مخالب»، هكذا أعلن مانو، براجابتي ربّ الذرية.
Narrator citing Manu (Prajāpati) as authority
Concept: Dharma is anchored in śāstra-pramāṇa: even permissions (what may be eaten) are regulated by authoritative tradition.
Application: When uncertain about religious practice, consult reliable śāstra/ācārya guidance rather than impulse; keep personal rules consistent and transparent.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dignified scene of Manu as Prajāpati seated on a high seat of kusa grass, holding a manuscript and rosary, while sages record his pronouncement. Nearby, symbolic depictions of the five ‘pañca-nakha’ animals appear as stylized emblems, arranged like a didactic chart rather than a hunting scene.","primary_figures":["Manu (Prajāpati)","attendant sages","scribes"],"setting":"a Vedic assembly hall (sabhā) within an āśrama; kusa mats, yajña implements, palm-leaf manuscripts","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["ivory","saffron","copper","forest green","lapis blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Manu-Prajāpati enthroned on a kusa pīṭha with gold leaf halo, holding palm-leaf śāstra; sages with folded hands; decorative chart-like medallions showing iguana, tortoise, hare, rhinoceros, porcupine; rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry, gold embossing and temple-lamp glow.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined court-of-sages scene with delicate linework; Manu speaks while scribes write; the five animals appear in small labeled cartouches along the border; cool palette with gentle shading and lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal Manu figure with bold outlines and large eyes; symmetrical arrangement of sages; animal emblems in circular frames; earthy reds and yellows with green accents, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central seated lawgiver framed by lotus borders; five animal medallions arranged like a garland around him; deep blue background with gold highlights, intricate floral filigree and devotional ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["page rustle of palm leaves","soft drum (mridang) pulse","sacrificial fire crackle","assembly murmur fading to silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सल्लकश्चेति = सल्लकः + च + इति; भक्ष्यान्पञ्चनखान् = भक्ष्यान् + पञ्चनखान्; खड्गः (अर्थे) गण्डकः; मनुराह = मनुः + आह।
FAQs
It presents a dharma-based dietary rule: among animals classified as “five-clawed,” certain ones are explicitly stated as permissible to eat, citing Manu as authoritative.
Manu is a primordial lawgiver associated with establishing dharma and social norms. He is called Prajāpati because he is regarded as a progenitor and regulator of human and cosmic order.
Within Purāṇic and Smṛti-style literature, such statements function as rule-based guidance tied to varṇa-āśrama and ritual contexts. Traditions may interpret or apply them differently depending on region, sect, and later ethical frameworks.