Shloka 28
Prohibitions and Rules of Right Conduct (Ācāra): Theft, Speech, Purity, Residence, and Social Boundaries
तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन सांकर्य्यं परिवर्जयेत् । एकपंक्त्युपविष्टा ये न स्पृशंति परस्परम्
tasmātsarvaprayatnena sāṃkaryyaṃ parivarjayet | ekapaṃktyupaviṣṭā ye na spṛśaṃti parasparam
Ainsi, avec tous ses efforts, qu’on évite tout mélange impropre. Ceux qui sont assis sur une même rangée ne doivent pas se toucher entre eux.
Unspecified (narratorial/instructional voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Avoid saṅkara with full effort; even when seated together, maintain non-contact to preserve śauca and prevent doṣa-transfer.
Application: Keep clear personal boundaries in shared settings; practice mindful conduct—cleanliness, respectful distance, and intentional association.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A long line of devotees sits for a ritual meal, each on a separate mat with a narrow strip of lotus petals between them, hands folded before eating. A calm supervisor sprinkles sanctified water along the line, visually ‘sealing’ boundaries while maintaining communal harmony.","primary_figures":["devotees in dining row","ritual supervisor (ācārya/sevaka)"],"setting":"Temple courtyard during a dharmic feeding, with a tulasī platform and a small Viṣṇu shrine in the background; leaf-plates and water pots arranged with geometric precision.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sunrise gold","lotus pink","tulasī green","ivory","copper brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: temple courtyard bhojana-pāṅkti with devotees seated in a perfect row, separated by lotus-petal borders; an ācārya sprinkles sanctified water; gold leaf on shrine, lamps, and jewelry; rich vermilion and emerald garments; ornate arch framing and gem-like detailing on vessels.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene dawn courtyard with delicate mats and leaf-plates; thin lotus-petal separators; soft golden light, cool shadows; refined faces and gentle gestures; a small Viṣṇu shrine and tulasī platform rendered with lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, warm yellow background; rhythmic repetition of seated figures in a row; clear non-touch spacing; stylized tulasī and shrine; traditional red/green palette with strong compositional symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical row of devotees framed by intricate floral borders, lotus motifs, and peacocks; deep blue shrine backdrop with gold accents; tulasī at center; garland-like separators between diners; devotional, ornamental density."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft bells","sprinkling water","morning birds","low tanpura drone","quiet footsteps"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tasmāt sarva-prayatnena = tasmāt sarvaprayatnena; ekapaṃktyupaviṣṭāḥ = eka-paṅkty-upaviṣṭāḥ.
FAQs
It prescribes disciplined conduct while seated in a common dining row: maintain personal boundaries and avoid physical contact, reflecting ritual cleanliness and orderly behavior.
In āgamic/dharmic usage it commonly indicates improper mixing that disrupts prescribed social or ritual order—especially in contexts like meals, purity rules, or regulated communal acts.
The verse highlights careful self-restraint and respect for communal order—prioritizing cleanliness, discipline, and avoidance of actions that may cause impurity or disturbance.