Shloka 100
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
स निस्तरति दुर्गाणि स्वर्गमक्षयमश्नुते । वाणिज्यं कारयेद्विप्रो मिथ्याऽवश्यं परित्यजेत्
sa nistarati durgāṇi svargamakṣayamaśnute | vāṇijyaṃ kārayedvipro mithyā'vaśyaṃ parityajet
Er überwindet schwere Gefahren und erlangt einen unvergänglichen Himmel. Ein Brāhmaṇa darf Handel treiben, doch soll er gewiss die Unwahrheit aufgeben.
Unspecified (narrative voice not provided in the excerpt)
Concept: Truthfulness protects one through worldly hazards and yields imperishable heavenly merit; even permitted livelihoods (like trade for a brāhmaṇa in exigency) must be purified by renouncing falsehood.
Application: In commerce and professional life, treat honesty as non-negotiable: transparent pricing, accurate claims, truthful contracts; accept smaller profit over moral compromise.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A merchant’s scales are shown perfectly balanced, while behind him a perilous river-crossing and thorny pass symbolize ‘durgāṇi’. Above, a radiant path ascends to an imperishable svarga, suggesting that honesty in trade becomes a spiritual vehicle.","primary_figures":["a brāhmaṇa-merchant (vipra in simple attire)","personifications of danger (river, cliffs)","celestial gatekeepers (subtle)"],"setting":"Marketplace foreground blending into a symbolic landscape of river-ford and mountain pass","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["burnished gold","river-teal","stone gray","white jasmine","crimson"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central figure holding balanced scales, gold leaf on the scale pans and halo; background split into panels—dangerous river and rocky pass on one side, luminous svarga staircase on the other; rich reds/greens, ornate borders, gem-like highlights on the ‘akṣaya svarga’ gateway.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a refined bazaar scene with delicate textiles; the landscape recedes into a river crossing with tiny figures; a pale luminous sky opens into a subtle celestial realm; cool palette with fine facial features and lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; the scales and the vipra prominent; stylized river and mountains as symbolic motifs; warm reds and yellows with green accents; celestial arch rendered in temple-mural geometry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative border of lotus and coin motifs; central medallion shows balanced scales under a Vishnu-symbol; side vignettes show dangers (river, forest) and the upward path to svarga; deep blue ground with gold detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft conch in distance","market ambience subdued","flowing water motif","single bell strike at cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: svargam+akṣayam+aśnute→svargamakṣayamaśnute; kārayet+vipraḥ→kārayedvipraḥ; mithyā+avaśyam→mithyā'vaśyam (अ + अ → ’).
FAQs
It teaches that truthfulness (satya) must be upheld—especially in worldly dealings like trade—and that abandoning falsehood leads to spiritual merit and auspicious outcomes.
Yes. It states that a brāhmaṇa may undertake trade, but the key condition is strict renunciation of deceit and falsehood.
The verse promises overcoming dangers and attaining “imperishable heaven” (akṣaya svarga) as a fruit of righteous conduct, particularly truthful behavior.