Shloka 182
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
पितॄनुद्दिश्य यः पुत्रो वृषं च मोक्षयेद्भुवि । पितरो विष्णुलोकेषु महीयंते यथेप्सितम्
pitṝnuddiśya yaḥ putro vṛṣaṃ ca mokṣayedbhuvi | pitaro viṣṇulokeṣu mahīyaṃte yathepsitam
Jener Sohn, der in Gedanken an die Ahnen einen Stier auf Erden freilässt—dessen Vorfahren werden in den Welten Viṣṇus geehrt, ganz nach ihrem Wunsch.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Concept: Vṛṣotsarga performed for the sake of ancestors results in their honor and satisfaction in Viṣṇu’s realms.
Application: Honor ancestors through ethical acts that reduce suffering—support animal welfare, practice remembrance with gratitude, and perform śrāddha with devotion rather than mere ritualism.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devoted son gently unties a decorated bull, releasing it onto open earth as elders and villagers witness in silence. Above, a translucent vision shows radiant Viṣṇuloka where ancestral figures, now luminous, receive honor and garlands, their faces softened with relief and fulfillment.","primary_figures":["devoted son (putra)","released bull (vṛṣa)","pitṛs (ancestral spirits)","Viṣṇu (implied as lord of Viṣṇuloka, optional distant presence)"],"setting":"Village edge or pastureland with a ritual space; overlayed celestial vision of Viṣṇuloka","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["earth brown","marigold orange","pearl white","celestial gold","deep indigo"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: foreground vṛṣotsarga—son releasing a garlanded bull with ritual threads; background/upper register shows Viṣṇuloka with glowing pitṛs receiving honors under a distant Viṣṇu aura; gold leaf on celestial register, rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry and patterned textiles.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: pastoral release scene with tender human-animal interaction, soft hills and trees; in the sky, a delicate cloud-borne vignette of Viṣṇuloka where ancestors are garlanded; cool natural palette, refined expressions, lyrical composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic bull-release panel with stylized figures, and a separate upper panel of Viṣṇuloka with pitṛs in symmetrical arrangement; bold outlines, natural pigments, temple mural framing bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central bull motif adorned with floral garlands, surrounded by lotus borders; upper medallion depicts Viṣṇuloka with ancestral figures and a Viṣṇu aura, deep blue background with gold and white highlights, intricate floral patterning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["soft conch shell","cowbells in distance","morning birds","gentle wind","brief silence after cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पितॄनुद्दिश्य = पितॄन् + उद्दिश्य; मोक्षयेद्भुवि = मोक्षयेत् + भुवि; यथेप्सितम् = यथा + ईप्सितम्।
FAQs
It describes a son releasing (setting free) a bull on earth as a dedicated act for the Pitṛs (ancestors), a form of dharmic charity/rite intended to benefit them.
The verse states that the ancestors are honored in the worlds of Viṣṇu (Viṣṇulokas), receiving esteem and benefit in a manner aligned with their own wishes.
It emphasizes filial responsibility and the power of intentional, dedicated righteous acts (performed “with the ancestors in mind”) to confer spiritual benefit and honor upon one’s lineage.