Shloka 26
The Duties and Conduct of the Graduate (Snātaka) and the Householder
एतस्मान्न प्रमाद्येत विशेषेण द्विजोत्तमः । यथाशक्ति चरन्धर्म्मं निंदितानि विवर्जयेत्
etasmānna pramādyeta viśeṣeṇa dvijottamaḥ | yathāśakti carandharmmaṃ niṃditāni vivarjayet
Darum soll man hierin nicht nachlässig sein, besonders der Beste der Zweimalgeborenen. Übe Dharma nach deiner Kraft und meide, was getadelt wird.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Svarga-khaṇḍa narration)
Concept: Non-negligence (apramāda) and capacity-based dharma (yathāśakti) are essential; avoid censured actions even when difficult.
Application: Choose a sustainable daily rule-set (truthful speech, regulated senses, honest livelihood). Before acting, ask: ‘Is this nindita (socially/scripturally blameworthy)?’ If yes, abstain; if unsure, consult śāstra/guru and err toward ahiṃsā and satya.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciplined dvija stands at a crossroads: one path bright and orderly with a small Viṣṇu shrine, the other shadowed with scenes of censured acts fading into darkness. The figure chooses the luminous path, symbolizing apramāda and yathāśakti dharma.","primary_figures":["conscientious dvija (brāhmaṇa)","symbolic Viṣṇu shrine or śālagrāma","shadow-figures representing nindita actions"],"setting":"Symbolic crossroads near an āśrama boundary, with one side opening to a clean temple courtyard and the other to a chaotic tavern-like silhouette zone.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["ivory white","sapphire blue","sunlit gold","smoky charcoal","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a dvija at a crossroads, right side a gold-leaf-embellished Viṣṇu shrine with śālagrāma and lamp, left side rendered in darker tones with censured acts as faint silhouettes, heavy gold borders, rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry on ritual objects, iconic symmetry emphasizing moral choice.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: slender figure in white dhotī choosing a sunlit path toward a small hill-temple, delicate trees and birds, the darker path dissolving into misty greys, refined linework and gentle gradients, contemplative moral narrative.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined crossroads motif, stylized shrine with lamp flames, expressive eyes on the dvija showing resolve, strong red/yellow/green palette with black contours, patterned background bands indicating ‘nindita’ vs ‘dharma’.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central arch framing a Viṣṇu shrine, lotus borders guiding the ‘right path’, peacocks and cows on the dharmic side, the other side filled with thorny motifs and dark florals, deep blue ground with gold highlights, intricate textile-like detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell (soft)","footsteps on stone","brief silence after injunction"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: etasmānna = etasmāt + na (final -t before n). carandharmmaṃ interpreted as caran + dharmam (anusvāra from sandhi).
FAQs
It instructs one to avoid negligence in dharma, to practice righteousness within one’s capacity, and to shun blameworthy actions.
It emphasizes heightened responsibility for the traditionally learned and ritually obligated classes—especially brāhmaṇas—to be vigilant and exemplary in conduct.
It implies proportionality and realism: dharma should be practiced sincerely according to one’s actual ability and circumstances, without using limitations as an excuse for forbidden or censured acts.