Shloka 56
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
तात्कालिक वधं हत्वा हंतारमाततायिनं । न च हंता च तत्पापैर्लिप्यते द्विजसत्तम
tātkālika vadhaṃ hatvā haṃtāramātatāyinaṃ | na ca haṃtā ca tatpāpairlipyate dvijasattama
Hat man einen mörderischen Angreifer (ātatāyin) auf der Stelle erschlagen, so wird der Erschlagende nicht von der aus dieser Tat entspringenden Sünde befleckt, o Bester der Zweimalgeborenen.
Unspecified in provided excerpt (context needed from Adhyāya 48 framing dialogue).
Concept: Immediate slaying of an ātatāyin (murderous aggressor) is a dharmic exception: the defender is not tainted by the sin of killing.
Application: In crises, act decisively to prevent harm while keeping motives clean; distinguish protection from vengeance; use proportionate force and seek de-escalation when possible.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sudden roadside ambush: an ātatāyin lunges with a raised sword, but a vigilant defender strikes in a single decisive motion, shielding a frightened traveler behind him. The moment freezes at the instant of dharmic necessity—no triumph, only urgent protection and the calm after danger.","primary_figures":["ātatāyin aggressor","defender (dharmic slayer)","protected innocent (traveler/householder)","witnessing sage (optional)"],"setting":"dusty path near an āśrama boundary with a small shrine marker and scattered leaves","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["burnished gold","earth brown","steel blue","saffron","shadow black"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dynamic protective combat scene, defender in heroic stance with gold leaf highlights on weapon and ornaments, aggressor mid-lunge, innocent sheltered behind, ornate border and temple-like framing, rich reds/greens, expressive eyes, moral seriousness rather than gore.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: crisp action with delicate lines, dawn sky gradient, minimal blood, emphasis on gesture and dharmic restraint, cool mountain-like blues with warm saffron accents, refined faces, narrative clarity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized combat poses, large-eyed figures, red/yellow/green palette, rhythmic composition conveying swift justice, temple mural aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical ‘dharma protects’ scene framed by lotus borders, deep blue ground with gold motifs, figures stylized, emphasis on protective stance and cosmic order rather than realism."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairav","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell blast","quick mridang strokes","clash of metal (subtle)","sudden silence after the strike"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: haṃtāramātatāyinaṃ = हन्तारम् + आततायिनम्; tatpāpairlipyate = तत् + पापैः + लिप्यते (तत् → तद् before p, written as तत्पापैः); note Devanagari has हंतारम् (for हन्तारम्).
FAQs
No. It narrowly addresses the case of an immediate, murderous aggressor (ātatāyin) and states that killing such a person in the moment is not sinful for the defender.
An ātatāyin is a dangerous aggressor—typically one who attacks with lethal intent (e.g., armed assailant or felon). This verse treats such a person as an exceptional case where defensive killing is not considered a sin.
It teaches proportional, immediate self-defense: when faced with a deadly aggressor, stopping the threat—even by lethal force—does not morally stain the protector, provided it is truly necessary and immediate.