Shloka 79
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
अयुध्यमानं भीरुं च पतितं गतकल्मषं । असच्छूद्रं स्तुतिप्रीतमाहवे शरणागतम्
ayudhyamānaṃ bhīruṃ ca patitaṃ gatakalmaṣaṃ | asacchūdraṃ stutiprītamāhave śaraṇāgatam
യുദ്ധം ചെയ്യാത്തവനായാലും, ഭീരുവായാലും, വീണുപോയവനായാലും, പാപം ക്ഷയിച്ചവനായാലും—നീച ശൂദ്രനാകിലും, സ്തുതിയിൽ പ്രസന്നനായാലും—യുദ്ധത്തിൽ ശരണാഗതനായി വന്നാൽ അവനെ ആശ്രയിച്ച് രക്ഷിക്കണം.
Unspecified (verse excerpt without surrounding dialogue context)
Concept: Śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) overrides contempt: even the fearful, fallen, or socially despised must be protected when they surrender.
Application: When someone asks for help sincerely—especially in crisis—respond with protection and dignity rather than judgment about status, past, or weakness.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A trembling, dust-covered fighter drops to his knees, palms joined, seeking refuge amid the chaos of battle. The victorious warrior steps forward not with a raised weapon but with an open hand and a protective stance, while onlookers—some scornful, some moved—witness compassion triumph over pride.","primary_figures":["surrendering refugee (śaraṇāgata)","kṣatriya protector","battle onlookers","charioteer or standard-bearer"],"setting":"Battlefield edge near a makeshift camp; scattered shields and arrows; a small sacred banner or Vishnu emblem hinting at higher dharma.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["soft saffron","ash gray","lotus pink","peacock blue","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central tableau of a kneeling śaraṇāgata with folded hands, a noble warrior extending protection, gold leaf aura emphasizing mercy, rich maroon and green garments, gem-like detailing on armor, symmetrical composition with auspicious Vishnu symbols subtly in the border.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate moral scene with delicate lines—kneeling refugee, compassionate warrior, gentle dawn light, cool blues and pinks, expressive faces, sparse battlefield details to keep focus on the act of refuge and protection.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, large compassionate eyes on the protector, kneeling figure in humility, rhythmic patterns on armor and cloth, warm red/yellow/green pigments, temple-wall narrative clarity highlighting śaraṇāgati.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical refuge scene framed by lotus vines and floral borders, central protective figure under a decorative canopy, peacocks at corners, deep blue background with gold accents, small narrative medallions showing ‘protect the surrendered’ as dharma."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft conch in distance","wind","muffled drums fading","temple bell single strikes","silence after surrender"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: असच्छूद्रं → असत् शूद्रम् (त् + श् → च्छ्). स्तुतिप्रीतमाहवे → स्तुतिप्रीतम् आहवे (म् + आ).
FAQs
It highlights śaraṇāgati-dharma: the duty to accept and protect one who seeks refuge, even amid conflict, regardless of their weakness or social standing.
No. By explicitly including even a socially “low” or “base” person, it stresses that refuge and protection are grounded in dharma, not status.
It supports the principle that a surrendered or non-combatant person should not be treated as a legitimate target; the righteous response is protection or acceptance of surrender.