Shloka 35
Prohibitions and Rules of Right Conduct (Ācāra): Theft, Speech, Purity, Residence, and Social Boundaries
न देवगुरुविप्राणां दीयमानं तु वारयेत् । न चात्मानं प्रशंसेद्वा परनिंदां च वर्जयेत्
na devaguruviprāṇāṃ dīyamānaṃ tu vārayet | na cātmānaṃ praśaṃsedvā paraniṃdāṃ ca varjayet
Man soll nicht hindern, was den Göttern, den Lehrern oder den Brahmanen dargebracht wird. Auch soll man sich nicht selbst rühmen und das Schmähen anderer meiden.
Unspecified (gnomic instruction within the narrative context of Svargakhaṇḍa 55)
Concept: Do not hinder offerings to gods, gurus, and brāhmaṇas; cultivate humility and refrain from self-praise and fault-finding.
Application: Support others’ charity and religious giving; practice anonymous generosity; replace self-promotion with gratitude; avoid online/offline disparagement and comparison.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A temple courtyard at dawn: devotees carry trays of flowers, lamps, and coins toward a sanctum while a calm elder gently prevents a quarrel, ensuring the offering proceeds unhindered. In the foreground, a figure lowers his head, hands folded, choosing humility over self-praise as the community’s giving flows like a quiet river.","primary_figures":["Vishnu (murti in sanctum)","guru/ācārya","devotees offering dāna","brāhmaṇa recipients"],"setting":"Stone temple courtyard with a visible garbhagṛha doorway, offering trays, and a small dāna-pātra; orderly lines of devotees.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["marigold orange","conch white","emerald green","saffron yellow","granite gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Viṣṇu murti in the sanctum with a radiant gold leaf halo; devotees presenting offerings, an ācārya guiding them; gold leaf on jewelry, lamps, and arch motifs; rich reds/greens, ornate pillars, and a gem-studded dāna vessel emphasizing auspicious giving and humility.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a serene temple courtyard with delicate figures in soft saffron and white; a teacher figure gestures gently to allow dāna to proceed; refined faces showing modesty; light washes for dawn sky and subtle architectural detailing.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and warm pigments; central ācārya with composed eyes, devotees in rhythmic procession; stylized temple doorway with Viṣṇu presence implied by symbols (śaṅkha-cakra); emphasis on moral clarity through strong, balanced composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa-centered courtyard with lotus borders; rows of devotees offering flowers and coins; peacocks and cows at the margins; deep blue accents around the deity space, gold highlights on offerings, intricate floral patterns symbolizing flowing generosity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","murmured mantras","footsteps on stone","conch shell","rustle of flower garlands"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: devaguruviprāṇām → deva-guru-viprāṇām (द्वन्द्व); cātmānam → ca ātmānam; praśaṃsedvā → praśaṃset vā; paraniṃdāṃ → para-nindām (तत्पुरुष)
FAQs
It instructs that one should not hinder offerings or gifts intended for the devas, one’s guru, or brāhmaṇas—implying respect for sacred duties and the social-religious order around dāna.
It teaches humility and restraint: do not praise yourself and avoid criticizing others, emphasizing purity of speech and character as part of dharma.
Support righteous giving and cultivate humility—by refraining from blocking meritorious acts, avoiding self-glorification, and abstaining from slander.