Shloka 18
Prohibitions and Rules of Right Conduct (Ācāra): Theft, Speech, Purity, Residence, and Social Boundaries
कुलान्यकुलतां यांति ब्राह्मणाऽतिक्रमेण च । अनृतात्पारदार्याच्च तथाऽभक्ष्यस्य भक्षणात्
kulānyakulatāṃ yāṃti brāhmaṇā'tikrameṇa ca | anṛtātpāradāryācca tathā'bhakṣyasya bhakṣaṇāt
Familien sinken in Schande und verlieren ihren edlen Stand, wenn sie gegen einen Brāhmaṇa vergehen, Unwahrheit sprechen, die Frau eines anderen entehren und Verbotenes essen.
Unspecified (context-dependent within Svarga-khaṇḍa 55)
Concept: Kula falls through four grave breaches: brāhmaṇa-atikrama, falsehood, adultery, and eating forbidden foods.
Application: Practice truthful speech, strict marital ethics, mindful diet aligned with one’s dharma, and respectful conduct toward spiritual teachers/brāhmaṇas; when lapses occur, seek prāyaścitta and recommit to sāttvika living.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A grand family banner (kula-dhvaja) begins to fray as four dark arrows strike it: ‘brāhmaṇa-atikrama’ shown as a broken staff near a sage, ‘anṛta’ as a forked tongue, ‘pāradārya’ as a shattered wedding garland, and ‘abhakṣya-bhakṣaṇa’ as a tainted platter. In the background, a Viṣṇu shrine remains steady, implying that returning to satya and śauca can mend the torn fabric of dharma.","primary_figures":["a brāhmaṇa sage (injured by disrespect)","a householder couple (wedding garland motif)","allegorical figures of falsehood and temptation","Viṣṇu icon in a shrine"],"setting":"A palace-courtyard or affluent household hall with a family standard, ritual space, and dining area; symbolic objects foregrounded.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit with stark chiaroscuro highlighting transgression symbols","color_palette":["deep crimson","lamp gold","obsidian black","ivory white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central kula-dhvaja and a small Viṣṇu shrine with heavy gold leaf; four symbolic vignettes around it—sage with broken staff (disrespect), forked tongue mask (falsehood), snapped wedding garland (adultery), darkened platter (forbidden food); rich reds and greens, ornate gold borders, gem-studded shrine ornaments, dramatic contrast between sanctity and transgression.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined interior scene with delicate detailing—family banner, a quiet shrine, and symbolic objects subtly indicating the four faults; expressive faces showing shame and resolve; cool shadows with warm lamp highlights, elegant textiles and architectural arches.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconographic arrangement—Viṣṇu symbol at center, four transgression emblems in cardinal directions; bold outlines, flat pigments, temple-wall symmetry, red-yellow-green with black accents for the ‘abhakṣya’ and ‘anṛta’ motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central sanctum motif with lotus border; the four faults depicted as stylized border medallions (broken staff, forked tongue, torn garland, dark platter) kept outside the sacred center; deep blue and gold with intricate floral filigree, symmetrical devotional composition."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["single bell strike between clauses","low drone (tanpura)","brief silence after 'anṛtāt'","distant conch from shrine"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुलान्यकुलतां→कुलानि अकुलताम्; ब्राह्मणाऽतिक्रमेण→ब्राह्मण-अतिक्रमेण; अनृतात्पारदार्याच्च→अनृतात् पारदार्यात् च; तथाऽभक्ष्यस्य→तथा अभक्ष्यस्य;
FAQs
It warns that a lineage’s honor and stability deteriorate through four key wrongs: harming or disrespecting a brāhmaṇa, lying, sexual misconduct involving another’s spouse, and consuming prohibited foods.
Because it signifies violating dharma by attacking or transgressing against a figure associated with learning, ritual order, and moral authority—an act seen as socially disruptive and karmically weighty.
Maintain truthful speech, sexual restraint and fidelity, dietary discipline according to one’s dharma, and respectful conduct toward teachers and religious persons—these preserve personal integrity and family well-being.