Shloka 70
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
तस्माद्दद्यात्सुबहूनि पितृदेवद्विजातिषु । अभावात्क्षत्त्रियावृत्तिर्ब्राह्मणैरूपजीव्यते
tasmāddadyātsubahūni pitṛdevadvijātiṣu | abhāvātkṣattriyāvṛttirbrāhmaṇairūpajīvyate
Darum soll man reichlich den Ahnen, den Göttern und den Zweimalgeborenen geben; denn bei mangelnder Unterstützung wird der Lebensunterhalt, der den Kṣatriyas zukommt, schließlich von den Brahmanen getragen.
Unspecified (narrative instruction within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Concept: Sustain the triad of obligations—ancestors, gods, and twice-born—through abundant giving; social roles collapse when support is absent.
Application: Maintain regular offerings: śrāddha remembrance, daily gratitude rituals, and consistent charity; support teachers and caretakers of sacred learning to prevent social inversion and resentment.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A triptych-like composition: on one side, a householder performs tarpaṇa with water and sesame for ancestors; in the center, a small fire-altar receives offerings to the devas; on the other side, brāhmaṇas are honored with cloth and food. The scene subtly shows social harmony—farmers, warriors, and scholars each steady in their roles.","primary_figures":["a gṛhastha performing tarpaṇa","deva-symbolic fire altar","brāhmaṇas receiving gifts","community members (kṣatriya, vaiśya) in background"],"setting":"riverbank edge blending into a courtyard yajña space; kusa mats, water pot, sesame, fire altar","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["river blue","sesame brown","fire orange","cloth white","saffron gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a symmetrical triptych—left tarpaṇa at riverbank with gold-leaf water ripples, center homa fire with ornate altar, right brāhmaṇas receiving cloth and food; rich reds/greens, gem-like detailing on vessels, gold-leaf halos and borders, South Indian ritual iconography emphasizing dharmic order.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical riverbank-courtyard blend, delicate depiction of tarpaṇa gestures, small homa flame, brāhmaṇas seated under a tree, distant hills and village life showing varṇa harmony, cool blues and warm saffron accents, refined facial expressions of reverence.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines with three ritual panels—pitṛ tarpaṇa, deva homa, dvija dāna—stylized flames and water, strong red-yellow-green palette, temple-wall compositional clarity and ritual symbolism.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate border with lotus and sacred thread motifs, central homa flame framed by conch/lotus emblems, side vignettes of tarpaṇa and brāhmaṇa-sevā, deep indigo background with gold highlights, intricate floral patterns and devotional symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","homa crackle","low mantra chant","conch in distance"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्माद्दद्यात् = तस्मात् + दद्यात्; दद्यात्सुबहूनि = दद्यात् + सुबहूनि; अभावात्क्षत्त्रियावृत्तिः = अभावात् + क्षत्त्रिय-वृत्तिः; ब्राह्मणैरूपजीव्यते = ब्राह्मणैः + उपजीव्यते
FAQs
It instructs giving generously—especially toward ancestral rites (pitṛs), divine offerings (devas), and support of the dvija community—presenting dāna as a stabilizing pillar of dharma.
It warns that when proper support and social duties break down, roles blur: those meant to protect and govern (kṣatriyas) may become dependent, while brahmins may be forced to sustain what is not ideally their sphere—signaling social imbalance.
Sustaining institutions of learning, worship, and ancestral remembrance through generous giving helps prevent systemic neglect and dependency, preserving social responsibility and dignity across roles.