Shloka 179
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
यत्र कामफला वृक्षा नद्यः पायसकर्दमाः । प्रासादाश्चापि सौवर्णास्तत्र गच्छंति गोप्रदाः
yatra kāmaphalā vṛkṣā nadyaḥ pāyasakardamāḥ | prāsādāścāpi sauvarṇāstatra gacchaṃti gopradāḥ
Là où les arbres portent tous les fruits désirés, où les rivières coulent de riz au lait et de limon de lait doux, et où même les palais sont d’or, là vont ceux qui ont fait don de vaches.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context-dependent narration within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa).
Concept: Go-dāna leads to exalted post-mortem enjoyment in a divine realm of abundance.
Application: Practice charity with reverence—especially supporting cows, food security, and dharmic livelihoods—without cruelty or exploitation.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant celestial landscape where wish-fulfilling trees bend under every fruit, and broad rivers flow like creamy kṣīra and sweet pāyasa. Golden palaces rise on lotus-like terraces as humble donors of cows arrive, hands folded, welcomed by luminous attendants.","primary_figures":["Go-dātā (cow-donor) devotees","celestial attendants (apsaras/gandharvas as generic divinities)","symbolic cows"],"setting":"Viṣṇuloka-like heaven with kalpavṛkṣas, milk-and-rice rivers, and gold palatial architecture","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["gold leaf","lotus pink","sapphire blue","ivory white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a celestial Viṣṇuloka vista with kalpavṛkṣa trees heavy with fruits, rivers rendered as flowing pāyasa and kṣīra with pearly highlights, towering golden prāsādas with ornate gopura-like tiers, cow-donor devotees in añjali entering the scene; heavy gold leaf embellishment on palaces and halos, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, traditional South Indian iconographic detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical heaven-garden with delicate kalpavṛkṣas, pale milky rivers with soft ripples, slender golden palaces on terraced hills, donors in simple garments contrasted against refined celestial attendants; cool mountain palette, fine brushwork, gentle facial features, airy perspective and floral borders.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined celestial court-garden with stylized trees and flowing white rivers of milk-pudding, golden palace forms simplified into rhythmic geometry, donors and attendants with characteristic large eyes and ornate jewelry; natural pigment reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall aesthetic, symmetrical composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: opulent lotus-filled celestial garden with intricate floral borders, deep blue ground, golden palaces and white pāyasa-river bands, cows prominently centered as auspicious motif, peacocks and lotuses interwoven; Nathdwara-inspired ornamentation, dense patterning, gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","celestial chimes","gentle flowing water"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रासादाश्चापि = प्रासादाः + च + अपि; सौवर्णास्तत्र = सौवर्णाः + तत्र; गच्छंति = गच्छन्ति (अनुस्वार-लिपि).
FAQs
It states that cow-donors attain a realm described as extraordinarily abundant—trees granting desired fruits, rivers of sweet food, and golden palaces—symbolizing the exalted fruit of charity.
Purāṇic phala-śruti often uses vivid, hyperbolic imagery to communicate the spiritual merit and auspicious results of dharmic acts; many traditions read this as a symbolic portrayal of heavenly prosperity and divine favor.
It highlights dāna (generosity), specifically go-dāna, as a powerful dharmic act whose fruits are portrayed as immense—encouraging selfless giving and support of life-sustaining resources.