Shloka 118
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
यो वाहयेद्विना सस्यं खादंतं गां निवारयेत् । मोहात्तृणं जलं वापि स गोहत्यासमं लभेत्
yo vāhayedvinā sasyaṃ khādaṃtaṃ gāṃ nivārayet | mohāttṛṇaṃ jalaṃ vāpi sa gohatyāsamaṃ labhet
Wer eine Kuh ohne Not der Ernte arbeiten lässt, oder eine Kuh am Fressen hindert, oder—aus Verblendung—ihr sogar Gras oder Wasser verweigert, erlangt eine Sünde, die dem Kuhmord gleich ist.
Unspecified (narratorial injunction within the Adhyaya context)
Concept: To make a cow work without necessity, to prevent her from eating, or to deny grass and water—even from delusion—is sin equal to cow-slaughter.
Application: Ensure animals (and dependents) have uninterrupted access to food and water; avoid needless labor demands; educate oneself to remove ‘mohā’ (ignorant neglect) that rationalizes cruelty.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A cow lowers her head to drink from a brimming trough while a devotee pours water with both hands, as if offering arghya; nearby, fresh grass is laid in a neat bundle. In the shadowed corner, a discarded yoke and idle cart signify ‘no needless work,’ turning care into visible dharma.","primary_figures":["cow (gauḥ)","devotee/householder offering water","calf","optional: small Vishnu shrine or śālagrāma on a pedestal"],"setting":"courtyard beside cowshed, water trough, fodder pile, idle_toggle/yoke set aside, tulasi pot near shrine (optional as domestic Vaishnava marker)","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["clear water blue","fresh grass green","earthen terracotta","milk white","lamp-gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: auspicious go-sevā scene—devotee offering water and grass to a cow and calf, idle yoke set aside to show ‘no needless labor,’ small Viṣṇu/śālagrāma shrine with gold leaf radiance, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, ornate borders with lotus motifs, devotional tenderness rendered with jewel-like detail.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate courtyard moment with delicate brushwork—water pouring in a thin silver stream, cow’s calm eye, soft dawn sky, naturalistic grass textures, a small shrine and tulasi pot subtly included, lyrical compassion and simplicity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized cow and devotee, prominent water vessel and trough, red-yellow-green palette with blue water accents, large expressive eyes, temple-wall didactic warmth emphasizing nourishment as dharma.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central cow and calf surrounded by lotus borders and floral creepers, water and grass offerings depicted as ritual, deep blue background with gold highlights, subtle Viṣṇu symbols above, intricate patterns celebrating go-sevā as sacred service."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["water pouring","soft cow lowing","morning birds","gentle temple bell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वाहयेद्विना = वाहयेत् + विना; मोहात्तृणं = मोहात् + तृणम्; वापि = वा + अपि; गोहत्यासमं = गोहत्या + समम् (समास).
FAQs
It teaches non-violence and compassionate stewardship: overworking a cow without necessity, obstructing her feeding, or denying basic sustenance (grass and water) is treated as a grave moral offense.
Because cruelty, deprivation, and exploitation can lead to suffering and harm comparable in moral weight to direct killing; the text frames neglect and abuse as spiritually catastrophic.
Do not yoke cattle to needless labor; do not prevent them from eating; and always provide adequate fodder and water—especially avoiding negligent or ignorant deprivation.