Shloka 35
Rules of Edible and Inedible Foods
न भक्षयेत्सर्पमृगाञ्छिखिनोन्यान्वनेचरान् । जलेचरान्स्थलचरान्प्राणिनश्चेति धारणा
na bhakṣayetsarpamṛgāñchikhinonyānvanecarān | jalecarānsthalacarānprāṇinaśceti dhāraṇā
蛇や獣や孔雀、また森をさまよう他の生きものを食してはならない。水に住むもの、地に住むもの、ひろく生類一般も同様である—これが定められた戒めである。
Unspecified (narrative injunction/observance statement within the chapter)
Concept: A sweeping niyama: avoid consuming living beings across habitats; restraint is framed as a ‘dhāraṇā’ (rule/discipline) stabilizing conduct.
Application: Practice ‘pause before consumption’: ask whether a choice increases harm or agitation; choose simpler, less violent foods especially on worship days, Ekādaśī, and before temple visits.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A teacher draws three concentric circles in the sand—forest, land, and water—while disciples listen, illustrating a rule that spans all realms of life. Around them, a tranquil panorama shows a serpent coiled on a rock, deer in the woods, and fish beneath clear water, all depicted as beings to be protected rather than consumed.","primary_figures":["sage-teacher","disciples","symbolic serpent","forest deer","peacock","fish"],"setting":"river-edge hermitage where forest meets water; teaching circle under a banyan tree","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["river jade","banyan green","sunrise saffron","clay brown","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a sage under a banyan tree instructing disciples; gold leaf sun-disc at dawn, ornate brass water pot, gem-like detailing; three habitat bands—forest with deer and peacock, land with small creatures, water with fish—rendered as sacred life zones; rich reds/greens with gold embellishment and traditional iconography.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical landscape where forest and river merge; delicate fish visible through transparent water, peacock perched on a branch, serpent near a rock; the guru gestures gently, refined faces and cool natural palette, soft atmospheric perspective.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; stylized serpent, peacock, and fish arranged in a harmonious triad; the teacher’s hand in instructive mudrā; warm ochres and greens with temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central teaching scene framed by lotus and tulasi borders; habitat vignettes in circular medallions—vana, sthala, jala—each filled with intricate flora; deep blue ground with gold highlights, peacocks and aquatic motifs in Nathdwara ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","morning birds","soft conch in distance","silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भक्षयेत्सर्पमृगान् = भक्षयेत् + सर्पमृगान्; मृगाञ्छिखिनः = मृगान् + शिखिनः; शिखिनोन्यान् = शिखिनः + अन्यान्; अन्यान्वनेचरान् = अन्यान् + वनेचरान्; जलेचरान्स्थलचरान् = जलेचरान् + स्थलचरान्; प्राणिनश्चेति = प्राणिनः + च + इति।
FAQs
It emphasizes restraint and non-harm (ahiṃsā) through dietary discipline—avoiding the consumption of various living beings.
It begins with examples (serpents, beasts, peacocks, forest animals) and then expands to aquatic and land creatures, concluding broadly with “living beings,” indicating a sweeping prohibition in this stated observance.
Svarga-khaṇḍa frequently frames conduct that supports merit (puṇya) and higher realms; dietary restraint is presented here as a dhāraṇā—an observance aligned with dharmic self-control.