Shloka 128
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
अग्निर्हव्यानि भुंजीत देवहेतोस्तथा द्विजः । आज्यं गोप्रभवं विद्धि तस्मादेते प्रसूतकाः
agnirhavyāni bhuṃjīta devahetostathā dvijaḥ | ājyaṃ goprabhavaṃ viddhi tasmādete prasūtakāḥ
ദേവഹിതാർത്ഥം അർപ്പിച്ച ഹവ്യങ്ങളെ അഗ്നി ഭുജിക്കുന്നു; അതുപോലെ ദ്വിജനും (ബ്രാഹ്മണനും) അർപ്പിതഭാഗം സ്വീകരിക്കുന്നു. ആജ്യം (നെയ്യ്) ഗാവിൽ നിന്നു ജനിച്ചതെന്ന് അറിക; അതുകൊണ്ട് ഇവരെ ‘പ്രസൂതക’ എന്നു വിളിക്കുന്നു.
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Yajña is sustained through interdependence: Agni carries offerings to devas; brāhmaṇas partake as ritual agents; ghee—born of the cow—fuels the sacrificial act, hence these are ‘prasūtaka’ (derivative/born-from).
Application: Support ethical food systems and non-violence; offer a portion of resources for sacred/charitable purposes; respect those who preserve learning and ritual; cultivate gratitude for sources of nourishment.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A sacred fire blazes at the center, receiving streams of ghee that glow like molten gold. Agni rises as a deity-form carrying oblations upward, while a brāhmaṇa sits poised to partake of the consecrated remainder; behind them a calm cow stands as the quiet source of ājya, completing the circle of yajña.","primary_figures":["Agni","brāhmaṇa (dvija)","cow (gauḥ)"],"setting":"Yajña-śālā with vedi altar, ladles, ghee pot, kuśa grass, and offering bowls; subtle celestial presence above the flames indicating devas receiving havis.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["flame orange","molten gold","ash gray","sandalwood beige","deep red"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Central yajña fire with Agni emerging, brāhmaṇa seated with ladle and offering bowl, a decorated cow beside a golden ghee pot; gold leaf flames and halos, rich crimson/green textiles, ornate pillars and arch, gem-studded ornaments and symmetrical ritual layout.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Intimate sacrificial pavilion with delicate fire, thin streams of ghee, brāhmaṇa in calm profile, cow softly rendered; airy smoke curls, refined linework, warm yet gentle palette, lyrical naturalism around the ritual space.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Bold outlined Agni rising from the vedi, brāhmaṇa and cow in iconic poses; strong red/yellow/green pigments, patterned flames, temple-wall aesthetic with clear symbolic objects (ājya pot, ladle, kuśa).","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Ritual mandala centered on a stylized flame-lotus; cow and brāhmaṇa placed symmetrically with ornate floral borders; deep indigo ground with gold highlights, intricate motifs suggesting havis rising to devas."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["fire crackle","soft bell strikes","low chanting","ghee pour sound"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: अग्निः + हव्यानि → अग्निर्हव्यानि; देवहेतोः + तथा → देवहेतोस्तथा; तस्मात् + एते → तस्मादेते
FAQs
It states the sacrificial chain of consumption: oblations (havya) are offered into Agni for the gods, and the dvija (especially the brāhmaṇa) also partakes in the sacrificial distribution as part of the rite.
Because ghee is a primary yajña-substance; by noting its cow-origin, the verse underscores the cow’s central ritual and dharmic importance as the source of key sacrificial materials.
The verse links proper ritual offering, rightful participation, and respect for the sources of sacred substances—implying that dharma includes honoring the cow and maintaining purity and correctness in sacrificial practice.