Shloka 58
Pitṛ-tīrtha Context: Marks of Sin, Śrāddha Discipline, and Karmic Ripening
in Yayāti’s Narrative
द्विजवित्तापहरणं न्यासेन समुपार्जितम् । ब्रह्महत्यासमं ज्ञेयं तस्य पातकमुत्तमम्
dvijavittāpaharaṇaṃ nyāsena samupārjitam | brahmahatyāsamaṃ jñeyaṃ tasya pātakamuttamam
ದ್ವಿಜನ ಧನವನ್ನು—ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ ನ್ಯಾಸವಾಗಿ (ಅಮಾನತಾಗಿ) ಒಪ್ಪಿಸಲಾದುದನ್ನು—ಅಪಹರಿಸುವುದು ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಹತ್ಯೆಗೆ ಸಮಾನವೆಂದು ತಿಳಿಯಬೇಕು; ಅದು ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಘೋರ ಪಾತಕ.
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within the chapter)
Concept: Stealing the wealth of a dvija—especially entrusted property—is equated with brahma-hatyā in moral weight.
Application: Do not misuse entrusted funds, donations, or temple/charity money; practice transparent stewardship; return deposits promptly; cultivate integrity in financial dealings.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a quiet hermitage treasury-room, a sealed cloth bundle marked with a sacred thread lies on a low wooden chest. A dvija calmly entrusts it to a householder, while in the background a darker vignette shows the same keeper secretly opening the seal—his hands trembling as a spectral weight of sin gathers like smoke.","primary_figures":["a dvija (brāhmaṇa) depositor","a householder/keeper of the deposit","personified Dharma as a subtle presence (optional)"],"setting":"hermitage veranda with palm-leaf manuscripts; a small shrine niche; a chest with seals and knots symbolizing nyāsa","lighting_mood":"twilight interior with a single oil lamp—moral chiaroscuro","color_palette":["lamp-amber","indigo shadow","ivory parchment","rust red","forest green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: intimate interior with gold leaf highlights on the shrine and lamp flame; dvija with serene face and sacred thread, the deposit bundle tied with ornate knots; the keeper shown in two narrative moments (entrusting and theft) separated by decorative arch motifs; rich reds/greens, heavy jewelry details, gold leaf emphasizing the sanctity of trust.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate domestic-hermitage scene with refined expressions; the bundle and seal rendered with fine detail; a subtle moral contrast—soft light on the dvija, cooler tones around the tempted keeper; gentle landscape beyond the veranda, lyrical restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, narrative paneling—left: nyāsa given with blessing gesture; right: nyāsa stolen with a looming dark yakṣa-like sin figure; strong red/yellow/green palette, stylized eyes, temple aesthetic framing the ethical warning.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition—central lotus medallion with ‘Dharma’ motifs, surrounding vignettes of deposit and betrayal; ornate floral borders, deep blue ground with gold detailing; cows/peacocks as auspicious witnesses, emphasizing purity versus greed."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bell","rustle of palm leaves","low tanpura drone","brief pause on 'brahmahatyā-samam'"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: द्विजवित्तापहरणं = द्विज-वित्त-अपहरणम्; ब्रह्महत्यासमं = ब्रह्म-हत्या-समम्; पातकमुत्तमम् = पातकम् उत्तमम्
FAQs
It condemns theft—especially breach of trust involving an entrusted deposit (nyāsa)—as an extremely serious moral offense.
The verse uses brahmahatyā as a benchmark for the gravest wrongdoing, stressing that violating sacred social trust and exploiting a dvija’s property is spiritually catastrophic.
Do not take or misuse what belongs to others, and never betray entrusted responsibility—return deposits faithfully and handle others’ wealth with integrity.