Shloka 131
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
तस्माद्गौः पूजनीयोसौ विप्र देवासुरैरपि । उदारः सर्वकार्येषु जातस्तथ्यो गुणाकरः
tasmādgauḥ pūjanīyosau vipra devāsurairapi | udāraḥ sarvakāryeṣu jātastathyo guṇākaraḥ
Darum, o Brāhmaṇa, ist jene Kuh verehrungswürdig — selbst für Devas und Asuras. In jedem Tun ist sie freigebig, wahrhaft als Wohltäterin geboren und eine Schatzkammer der Tugenden.
Unspecified narrator (context-dependent within Adhyaya 48; verse addresses a brāhmaṇa: 'vipra')
Concept: The cow is worship-worthy for her universal beneficence and virtue; even devas and asuras honor her.
Application: Practice gratitude for sources of nourishment; support ethical dairy/animal care, charity, and non-cruelty; treat providers and dependents with reverence.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene hermitage clearing: a radiant, gentle cow stands calmly as sages and celestial beings offer flowers and water, acknowledging her as a treasury of virtues. Devas and asuras—depicted not as enemies but as humbled witnesses—fold their hands, while the cow’s presence emanates nourishment and peace.","primary_figures":["Sacred cow (Gauḥ)","Brāhmaṇa sage (vipra)","Devas","Asuras"],"setting":"Forest āśrama with a small altar, kusa grass, and flowering trees; offerings arranged near the cow.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["warm gold","lotus pink","leaf green","earth brown","ivory white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central white cow with ornate gold leaf halo; sages and celestial beings in symmetrical rows offering flowers; rich red-green background panels, embossed gold ornaments, temple-arch framing, gem-like highlights on vessels and garlands.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical forest āśrama with delicate foliage; the cow rendered with soft shading; devas and asuras as refined figures with subtle distinctions; cool greens and warm sunrise wash; intricate textiles and gentle expressions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of the cow and worshippers; flat pigment fields; stylized trees and altar; prominent eyes and rhythmic composition; dominant reds/yellows/greens with white cow as focal purity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: cow-centered devotional tableau with lotus and floral borders; ornate garlands, peacocks near the edges, deep blue or maroon ground with gold detailing; symmetrical offering vessels and patterned textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft bells","cowbells faintly","forest birds","gentle flute drone","offering water trickle"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्मात् + गौः → तस्माद्गौः; पूजनीयः + असौ → पूजनीयोसौ; देव + असुरैः → देवासुरैर् (देवासुरैः) + अपि → देवासुरैरपि
FAQs
It teaches that the cow is universally worthy of reverence—honored even by devas and asuras—because she is portrayed as generous and a repository of virtues.
By naming both groups, the verse emphasizes the cow’s exceptional sanctity and benefit as being acknowledged across cosmic opposites, not limited to one faction.
It encourages gratitude and reverence toward beneficent beings and resources, highlighting generosity and virtue as qualities deserving respect and protection.