Shloka 167
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
ब्रूहि तत्त्वं गुरुश्रेष्ठ परमेष्ठिन्प्रियं यदि । ब्रह्मोवाच । श्वेतां गां ब्राह्मणे दत्वा मानवश्चेश्वरो भवेत्
brūhi tattvaṃ guruśreṣṭha parameṣṭhinpriyaṃ yadi | brahmovāca | śvetāṃ gāṃ brāhmaṇe datvā mānavaśceśvaro bhavet
“हे गुरुश्रेष्ठ! यदि आप परमेश्वर को प्रिय हैं तो सत्य बताइए।” ब्रह्मा बोले—“जो ब्राह्मण को श्वेत गाय का दान करता है, वह मनुष्य ऐश्वर्यवान् (प्रभुत्वशाली) हो जाता है।”
Brahmā
Concept: Go-dāna to a worthy recipient yields worldly lordliness (aiśvarya) and auspicious power; dharmic giving shapes destiny.
Application: Practice sāttvika charity: give with respect, to appropriate recipients/institutions, without pride; treat prosperity as stewardship for dharma rather than entitlement.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a ritual courtyard, Brahmā—four-faced, serene yet commanding—pronounces the fruit of śvetā-go-dāna. A spotless white cow adorned with a simple garland is led toward a seated brāhmaṇa recipient, while a donor stands with folded hands, the air shimmering with auspiciousness and the promise of righteous prosperity.","primary_figures":["Brahmā","brāhmaṇa recipient","donor (householder/king)","white cow (śvetā go)"],"setting":"Vedic-style courtyard with kusa grass, a small fire altar, and offering vessels; palm-leaf texts nearby.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["pearl white","vermillion red","saffron gold","emerald green","smoke gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Brahmā with four faces seated on a lotus throne, blessing a go-dāna scene where a white cow is offered to a brāhmaṇa, donor in royal attire with folded hands, gold leaf halos and ornate pillars, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, sacred fire altar details.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined go-dāna ceremony in a quiet courtyard, Brahmā depicted with delicate features and subtle four-faced suggestion, white cow with gentle expression, brāhmaṇa seated on a mat, donor respectfully offering, soft natural palette and lyrical composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Brahmā with bold outlines and stylized lotus seat, go-dāna ritual with clear iconographic gestures, warm ochre-red-green palette, decorative borders, simplified yet powerful sacred geometry around the altar.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central white cow adorned with floral motifs, Brahmā above in a lotus medallion, brāhmaṇa and donor below in symmetrical arrangement, intricate floral borders, deep blue background with gold highlights, lotus patterns throughout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["ritual bell","low chanting of svasti-mantras","crackle of sacred fire","conch shell (brief)","soft drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: परमेष्ठिन्प्रियम् = परमेष्ठिन् + प्रियम्; ब्रह्मोवाच = ब्रह्मा + उवाच; मानवश्चेश्वरो = मानवः + च + ईश्वरः.
FAQs
It recommends gau-dāna—donating a white cow to a brāhmaṇa—as a meritorious act.
The verse says a person may become “īśvara,” i.e., attain lordly status—prosperity, influence, or elevated standing through merit.
The verse explicitly marks “brahmovāca,” indicating Brahmā is speaking within a dialogue context in Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa.