Shloka 89
Brahmin Conduct, Purificatory Baths, and the Garuḍa–Nectar Episode
Illustrative Narrative
भग्ना सा सहसा शाखा तां च धृत्वा भ्रमाम्यहम् । कोटिकोटिसहस्राणां ब्राह्मणानां गवां वधात्
bhagnā sā sahasā śākhā tāṃ ca dhṛtvā bhramāmyaham | koṭikoṭisahasrāṇāṃ brāhmaṇānāṃ gavāṃ vadhāt
એ ડાળ અચાનક તૂટી ગઈ; તેને પકડીને હું ભટકું છું—જાણે કરોડો-કરોડો સહસ્ર બ્રાહ્મણો અને ગાયોનો વધ કર્યાનો ભાર હોય તેમ.
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context needed from Adhyaya 47 narration to identify the dialogue speaker).
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: celestial_realm
Sandhi Resolution Notes: bhramāmyaham → bhramāmi + aham; koṭikoṭisahasrāṇām treated as tatpuruṣa compound; no explicit finite verb for first clause—understood ‘(is) broken’.
FAQs
It portrays the crushing moral weight of grave sins—especially the killing of brāhmaṇas and cows—using the image of restless wandering after a sudden misfortune (the broken branch).
Purāṇic dharma literature treats them as among the most serious transgressions: brāhmaṇas represent sacred learning and ritual order, while cows symbolize sustenance and societal welfare; harming either is framed as deeply disruptive to dharma.
Actions have enduring moral consequences; one should avoid violence against protected beings and uphold dharma, because severe wrongdoing is depicted as producing inner unrest and spiritual disorientation.