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
“ഹേ ഗുരുശ്രേഷ്ഠാ! നിങ്ങൾ പരമേശ്വരന് പ്രിയനാണെങ്കിൽ തത്ത്വസത്യം പറയുക.” ബ്രഹ്മാവ് പറഞ്ഞു—“ബ്രാഹ്മണന് ശ്വേതഗോവിനെ ദാനം ചെയ്താൽ മനുഷ്യൻ ഐശ്വര്യവാനും പ്രഭുത്വമുള്ളവനുമാകും।”
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.