Shloka 24
The Greatness of the Gaṇḍakī River and the Śālagrāma Stone
मोहात्स्पृष्ट्वापि महिला जन्मशीलगुणान्विता । हित्वा पुण्यसमूहं सा सत्वरं नरकं व्रजेत्
mohātspṛṣṭvāpi mahilā janmaśīlaguṇānvitā | hitvā puṇyasamūhaṃ sā satvaraṃ narakaṃ vrajet
Selbst eine Frau von guter Herkunft, rechtem Wandel und Tugenden—wenn sie aus Verblendung ein unziemliches Berühren zulässt—gibt die Summe ihrer Verdienste preis und eilt in die Hölle.
Unspecified (narratorial/teachings context within Pātāla-khaṇḍa; exact dialogue pair not provided in the input)
Concept: Moha (delusion) leading to improper conduct is said to destroy accumulated puṇya and cause naraka-gati.
Application: Guard against impulsive or confused choices; cultivate clarity (sattva) through sādhana, good company, and scriptural reflection; repair lapses through confession, restraint, and renewed devotion.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A symbolic tableau: a woman stands at a crossroads where one path is strewn with bright lotus petals labeled ‘puṇya’ and the other descends into a shadowed chasm labeled ‘naraka’. Misty figures of Yama’s attendants loom in the distance while a faint Viṣṇu-lotus light glows behind her, suggesting the possibility of turning back through clarity and devotion.","primary_figures":["woman (symbolic jīva)","Yama-dūtas (distant, shadowy)","subtle Viṣṇu-lotus radiance (symbolic)"],"setting":"mythic moral landscape—crossroads, crumbling steps, and a distant luminous horizon","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["ashen gray","ink black","lotus pink","pale gold","smoky violet"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: allegorical crossroads scene with gold-leaf lotus aura in the upper background, the central figure in traditional attire, stylized naraka chasm with dark reds and blacks, ornate borders with moral emblems (lotus for puṇya, chains for bondage), rich jewel tones and gold highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate, lyrical moral landscape—soft hills, a narrow descending path into bluish shadow, the woman poised in hesitation; fine facial expression conveying moha, subtle divine glow in the sky, cool palette with pink-gold accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines—central figure at a bifurcated path, demon-like attendants rendered in stylized forms, strong red-yellow-green contrasts, narrative clarity like a temple didactic panel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional allegory framed by lotus and tulasī borders; the ‘puṇya’ path decorated with lotuses and peacocks, the ‘naraka’ side with thorn motifs; deep blue ground with gold script-like ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low drum pulse","temple bell strikes","wind hush","distant thunder","sudden silence at ‘narakam’"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: मोहात्स्पृष्ट्वापि = मोहात् + स्पृष्ट्वा + अपि; गुणान्विता = गुण + अन्विता (नकारादेश/अनुस्वार-सन्धि); अन्यत्र स्पष्ट संधि न्यूनम्।
FAQs
It teaches that delusion (moha) can lead a person to actions that negate accumulated merit, bringing swift negative karmic consequences.
To stress that social standing and personal virtues are not safeguards if one acts under delusion; ethical lapses can still destroy one’s store of merit.
It implies accumulated spiritual credit from righteous deeds, vows, charity, and disciplined living—merit that can be forfeited by grave misconduct.