Shloka 183
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
चतस्रो वत्सतर्यश्च एकस्यैव वृषस्य च । मोक्ष्यंते सर्वतः पुत्र विधिरेष सनातनः
catasro vatsataryaśca ekasyaiva vṛṣasya ca | mokṣyaṃte sarvataḥ putra vidhireṣa sanātanaḥ
Vier Färsen und ein einziger Stier sind nach allen Richtungen freizulassen, o Sohn—dies ist die ewige Vorschrift.
Unspecified (dialogue context not provided in the input)
Concept: The eternal procedure: release four heifers and one bull in all directions as prescribed.
Application: If literal performance is not feasible, embody the principle: protect and support vulnerable life in multiple ‘directions’—family, community, environment, and spiritual practice.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At a crossroads marked by four directional banners, a ritual leader and a devoted householder release four young heifers toward the quarters, while a single strong bull is set free with garlands and protective markings. The scene conveys solemn precision—each direction honored—while villagers watch as the animals move into open fields.","primary_figures":["householder (putra)","ritual officiant (brāhmaṇa)","four heifers (vatsataryaḥ)","one bull (vṛṣa)","witnessing villagers"],"setting":"Open earth near a village boundary or crossroads with directional markers and a small ritual platform","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["ochre","smoke gray","marigold yellow","leaf green","crimson"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: ceremonial crossroads with four directional standards, four heifers released outward and one garlanded bull central; priest with ritual implements, householder in añjali; gold leaf accents on standards, ornaments, and auspicious symbols, rich reds/greens, ornate border.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: pastoral boundary scene with subtle directional flags, animals moving gracefully into landscape; delicate brushwork, soft hills and trees, refined faces, gentle narrative clarity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: strong iconographic layout—central bull, four heifers oriented to quarters, priest and householder flanking; bold outlines, natural pigments, symmetrical temple-wall composition with decorative bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: directional mandala composition with animals placed in cardinal points, lotus and floral borders, deep blue ground with gold highlights; intricate patterns on banners and garlands, auspicious cow motifs emphasized."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["handbell at ritual moments","murmured mantras","cow hooves on earth","conch shell at release"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वत्सतर्यश्च = वत्सतर्यः + च; एकस्यैव = एकस्य + एव; विधिरेष = विधिः + एषः.
FAQs
It describes a dharmic injunction to release (set free) four heifers and one bull, symbolically in all directions, as part of a prescribed rite connected with merit and religious duty.
“Sanātana” frames the instruction as a timeless dharmic norm—an established, traditional rule rather than a temporary or local custom.
It emphasizes reverence and protection for cattle and the broader ethic of generosity/non-harm through ritualized release, presented as a duty-based (vidhi) act.