Shloka 194
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
सकृच्च श्रावयेद्यस्तु कथां पुण्यतमामिमां । सर्वपापक्षयस्तस्य देवैश्च सह मोदते
sakṛcca śrāvayedyastu kathāṃ puṇyatamāmimāṃ | sarvapāpakṣayastasya devaiśca saha modate
Wer jedoch bewirkt, dass diese höchst heilige Erzählung auch nur einmal gehört wird, dessen alle Sünden vergehen, und er freut sich zusammen mit den Göttern.
Not specified in the provided excerpt (context-dependent within Adhyaya 48 narration).
Concept: Śravaṇa (hearing) of supremely holy kathā destroys sin and grants divine joy.
Application: Keep a daily practice of listening/reading a small portion of Purāṇic kathā or Viṣṇu-stotra; share it (śrāvayet) with family/community as a merit-multiplier.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A small assembly sits in a lamp-lit mandapa as a sage recites a sacred kathā; the spoken words appear as luminous syllables rising like lotuses. Above, devas hover in subtle radiance, showering flowers as a dark mist of ‘pāpa’ dissolves from the listeners’ bodies into clear light.","primary_figures":["a Purāṇa-reciting ṛṣi","devotee listeners (gṛhasthas and brahmacārins)","celestial devas as witnesses"],"setting":"Temple mandapa with carved pillars, palm-leaf manuscripts, a low vyāsāsana seat, and a distant sanctum hinting at Viṣṇu’s presence.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["gold leaf","lamp-flame amber","lotus pink","deep indigo","sandalwood beige"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a vyāsāsana-seated sage reciting Purāṇa to attentive devotees in a South Indian mandapa, devas in the upper register showering flowers, sacred syllables rendered as glowing script, heavy gold leaf halos, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch framing a subtle Viṣṇu emblem in the sanctum.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate satsanga scene with delicate brushwork—sage reading from palm-leaf, listeners with refined expressions, soft night-blue background, oil lamps casting warm pools of light, devas as faint translucent figures in the sky, lyrical naturalism and fine textile patterns.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments—mandapa interior with lamp flames, sage in ochre and green garments, devas in the upper band, stylized lotus-syllables floating, characteristic large eyes and temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Krishna-centered satsanga motif—ornate floral borders, lotus clusters around glowing syllables, devotees seated in symmetrical rows, peacocks near the threshold, deep blue ground with gold highlights, a subtle Shrinathji-like presence implied in the sanctum."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft tanpura drone","conch shell (distant)","murmured responses of listeners","gentle night silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सकृच्च = सकृत् + च; श्रावयेद्यस्तु = श्रावयेत् + यः + तु; सर्वपापक्षयस्तस्य = सर्वपापक्षयः + तस्य; देवैश्च = देवैः + च.
FAQs
It praises śravaṇa (hearing) and śrāvaṇa (causing others to hear/reciting aloud) of a supremely holy kathā, stating that even a single hearing brings great spiritual merit.
The verse says that all sins (sarva-pāpa) are destroyed (kṣaya), and the listener/reciter rejoices in the company of the devas.
It encourages sharing sacred teachings—promoting devotion, moral purification, and the upliftment of others through recitation and attentive listening.