Shloka 100
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
स निस्तरति दुर्गाणि स्वर्गमक्षयमश्नुते । वाणिज्यं कारयेद्विप्रो मिथ्याऽवश्यं परित्यजेत्
sa nistarati durgāṇi svargamakṣayamaśnute | vāṇijyaṃ kārayedvipro mithyā'vaśyaṃ parityajet
അവൻ ദുഷ്കരമായ അപകടങ്ങൾ കടന്ന് അക്ഷയ സ്വർഗ്ഗം പ്രാപിക്കുന്നു. ബ്രാഹ്മണൻ വ്യാപാരം ചെയ്യാം; എന്നാൽ അസത്യത്തെ നിർബന്ധമായി ഉപേക്ഷിക്കണം.
Unspecified (narrative voice not provided in the excerpt)
Concept: Truthfulness protects one through worldly hazards and yields imperishable heavenly merit; even permitted livelihoods (like trade for a brāhmaṇa in exigency) must be purified by renouncing falsehood.
Application: In commerce and professional life, treat honesty as non-negotiable: transparent pricing, accurate claims, truthful contracts; accept smaller profit over moral compromise.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A merchant’s scales are shown perfectly balanced, while behind him a perilous river-crossing and thorny pass symbolize ‘durgāṇi’. Above, a radiant path ascends to an imperishable svarga, suggesting that honesty in trade becomes a spiritual vehicle.","primary_figures":["a brāhmaṇa-merchant (vipra in simple attire)","personifications of danger (river, cliffs)","celestial gatekeepers (subtle)"],"setting":"Marketplace foreground blending into a symbolic landscape of river-ford and mountain pass","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["burnished gold","river-teal","stone gray","white jasmine","crimson"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central figure holding balanced scales, gold leaf on the scale pans and halo; background split into panels—dangerous river and rocky pass on one side, luminous svarga staircase on the other; rich reds/greens, ornate borders, gem-like highlights on the ‘akṣaya svarga’ gateway.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a refined bazaar scene with delicate textiles; the landscape recedes into a river crossing with tiny figures; a pale luminous sky opens into a subtle celestial realm; cool palette with fine facial features and lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; the scales and the vipra prominent; stylized river and mountains as symbolic motifs; warm reds and yellows with green accents; celestial arch rendered in temple-mural geometry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative border of lotus and coin motifs; central medallion shows balanced scales under a Vishnu-symbol; side vignettes show dangers (river, forest) and the upward path to svarga; deep blue ground with gold detailing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft conch in distance","market ambience subdued","flowing water motif","single bell strike at cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: svargam+akṣayam+aśnute→svargamakṣayamaśnute; kārayet+vipraḥ→kārayedvipraḥ; mithyā+avaśyam→mithyā'vaśyam (अ + अ → ’).
FAQs
It teaches that truthfulness (satya) must be upheld—especially in worldly dealings like trade—and that abandoning falsehood leads to spiritual merit and auspicious outcomes.
Yes. It states that a brāhmaṇa may undertake trade, but the key condition is strict renunciation of deceit and falsehood.
The verse promises overcoming dangers and attaining “imperishable heaven” (akṣaya svarga) as a fruit of righteous conduct, particularly truthful behavior.