Shloka 65
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
यामाश्रित्य मुनिश्रेष्ठा गच्छंति ब्रह्मणः पदम् । दक्षिणा यज्ञशेषाणां ग्राह्या यज्ञगतेन हि
yāmāśritya muniśreṣṭhā gacchaṃti brahmaṇaḥ padam | dakṣiṇā yajñaśeṣāṇāṃ grāhyā yajñagatena hi
ആ (ധർമ്മോപായം) ആശ്രയിച്ച് മുനിശ്രേഷ്ഠർ ബ്രഹ്മപദം പ്രാപിക്കുന്നു. യജ്ഞശേഷത്തിൽ നിന്നുമാത്രം ദക്ഷിണ സ്വീകരിക്കണം; അത് യജ്ഞവിധിയാൽ അംഗീകൃതമാണ്।
Unspecified (narrative voice within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Concept: Sages attain Brahmā’s abode by relying on the approved discipline; accepting dakṣiṇā is legitimate when it arises from yajña-remnants and is sanctioned by the rite, not by personal solicitation.
Application: When receiving payment for sacred/ethical service, keep it transparent, proportionate, and connected to the service rendered; avoid monetizing spirituality through pressure or manipulation.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A fire altar blazes in a carefully drawn vedi, priests chanting as clarified butter arcs into the flames. A dignified brāhmaṇa receives dakṣiṇā only after the rite—placed upon a kusa mat beside the yajña remnants—while a subtle celestial pathway opens above, hinting at ascent to Brahmā’s realm through disciplined conduct.","primary_figures":["Vedic hotṛ/adhvaryu priests","brāhmaṇa recipient of dakṣiṇā","patron (yajamāna)","subtle presence of Brahmā (celestial sign)"],"setting":"Yajña-śālā with vedi, samidh stacks, ladles, kusa grass, and offerings arranged in geometric order; onlookers seated in reverent silence.","lighting_mood":"firelit sacred glow","color_palette":["flame orange","smoke gray","sandalwood beige","crimson","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: grand yajña scene with central fire altar, priests in white with red borders, gold leaf highlights on ritual vessels, dakṣiṇā placed ceremonially on kusa mat, patron offering with folded hands, celestial Brahmā motif above in a gold halo, ornate temple-arch framing and jewel-like ornamentation.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined yajña-śālā with precise geometry of the vedi, delicate flames, soft earth tones, expressive but restrained faces; dakṣiṇā exchange depicted with etiquette, faint celestial ascent motif in pale blues above, lyrical realism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized fire altar with bold outlines, saturated reds/yellows, priests with large eyes chanting, ritual vessels simplified into iconic forms, dakṣiṇā moment emphasized, decorative border of lotus and flame motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate border with flame and lotus patterns; central panel shows yajña fire with symmetrical offerings, attendants and patron in devotional posture, gold and white detailing on deep indigo ground, sacred geometry emphasized like a mandala."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["Vedic chant cadence","crackling fire","wooden ladle taps","conch shell (ritual cue)","brief silence at dakṣiṇā offering"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: याम् + आश्रित्य → यामाश्रित्य; गच्छन्ति (IAST gacchaṃti) ।
FAQs
It links spiritual attainment (reaching Brahmā’s abode) with proper observance, and it also gives a dharmic guideline: dakṣiṇā should be accepted in a manner consistent with the yajña—i.e., as part of the sanctioned sacrificial economy rather than through improper means.
Yajñaśeṣa means the sanctioned remainder of a sacrifice (offerings/food/portions left after ritual distribution). The verse indicates that accepting dakṣiṇā should align with what is ritually proper and connected to the yajña’s completion and distribution.
It emphasizes integrity in ritual transactions: compensation or honorarium (dakṣiṇā) is legitimate when it follows the rite’s rules and spirit, reinforcing that spiritual goals and moral conduct in religious practice are inseparable.