Shloka 144
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
सर्वदा सर्वकामेषु धर्मकामार्थमोक्षदः । नारद उवाच । केषु किं वा प्रयोगेण परं पुण्यं प्रकीर्तितं
sarvadā sarvakāmeṣu dharmakāmārthamokṣadaḥ | nārada uvāca | keṣu kiṃ vā prayogeṇa paraṃ puṇyaṃ prakīrtitaṃ
Zu allen Zeiten und für alle gewünschten Ziele verleiht dies Dharma, Kāma, Artha und Mokṣa. Nārada sprach: „In welchen Dingen oder durch welche Art der Anwendung wird das höchste Verdienst verkündet?“
Nārada
Concept: A single well-taught practice can be universally beneficial, yielding the four puruṣārthas when performed with right method (prayoga) and intent.
Application: Before adopting any spiritual practice, ask: what is the correct method, what is the right object of reverence, and what inner attitude makes it fruitful? Seek clarity from reliable teachers and śāstra.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A quiet hermitage clearing where Nārada, veena in hand, turns toward a radiant lotus-throne vision of the cosmic order, asking what single practice grants all aims. The air feels charged with expectancy, as if a hidden vrata is about to be revealed to benefit all beings.","primary_figures":["Nārada","(implied) Brahmā","(implied) Viṣṇu as Sarvalokeśa"],"setting":"Forest āśrama with lotus pond, kusa-grass seat, palm-leaf manuscripts, distant glimpse of a celestial lotus emerging from cosmic waters","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["lotus pink","saffron gold","emerald green","sapphire blue","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Nārada seated on a jeweled pedestal near a lotus pond, veena angled across his lap, right hand raised in inquiry; behind him a subtle vision of a lotus from Viṣṇu’s navel with Brahmā seated, rendered as a haloed vignette; heavy gold leaf for halos and ornaments, rich vermilion and emerald textiles, temple-like decorative arch, gem-studded jewelry, crisp South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a lyrical Himalayan-forest āśrama with delicate trees and a small lotus lake; Nārada in soft saffron robes asks a question with gentle hand gesture; distant translucent celestial lotus motif in the sky; fine brushwork, cool greens and blues, refined facial features, thin white outlines, poetic atmosphere.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments; Nārada with large expressive eyes and ornate crown, veena detailed; background shows stylized lotus and cosmic waters; dominant red, yellow, green with gold accents; temple-wall aesthetic with patterned borders and auspicious motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus medallion suggesting the cosmic padma; Nārada at the lower register in devotional posture; intricate floral borders, peacocks and lotuses; deep indigo background with gold detailing; subtle Vaishnava symbols (shankha-chakra) in corner motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft tanpura drone","forest birds","gentle veena phrases","distant temple bell"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: sarvakāmeṣu → sarva + kāmeṣu; dharmakāmārthamokṣadaḥ → dharma + kāma + artha + mokṣa + daḥ.
FAQs
He asks which specific object, context, or practice—and by what method of applying it—yields the highest spiritual merit (puṇya).
They represent the four classical aims of life (puruṣārthas), indicating the practice under discussion is presented as beneficial for both worldly well-being and ultimate liberation.
It suggests that the highest merit is not random but depends on right application (prayoga) aligned with dharma, inviting disciplined and purposeful spiritual practice.