Shloka 31
Prohibitions and Rules of Right Conduct (Ācāra): Theft, Speech, Purity, Residence, and Social Boundaries
परक्षेत्रे गां चरंतीं न चाचक्षीत कर्हिचित् । न संवसेत्सूचकेन न कं वै मर्मणि स्पृशेत्
parakṣetre gāṃ caraṃtīṃ na cācakṣīta karhicit | na saṃvasetsūcakena na kaṃ vai marmaṇi spṛśet
മറ്റൊരാളുടെ വയലിൽ മേയുന്ന പശുവിനെ ഒരിക്കലും നോക്കരുത്. സൂചകൻ (ചാടി/വിവരം ചോർത്തുന്നവൻ) കൂടെ താമസിക്കരുത്; ആരുടെയും മർമ്മസ്ഥാനത്തെ ഒരിക്കലും സ്പർശിക്കരുത്.
Unspecified (gnomic instruction within the Svarga-khaṇḍa narrative context)
Concept: Do not covet or intrude upon what belongs to others; avoid the company of informers; do not strike at another’s vulnerable points—ethics of non-harm and social trust.
Application: Practice non-intrusive attention (don’t ‘stare’ at others’ resources), choose trustworthy companions, and never exploit someone’s vulnerabilities in argument or power dynamics.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At the edge of a cultivated field, a cow grazes peacefully while a disciplined householder turns his gaze away, honoring another’s boundary. Nearby, a shadowy figure whispers like an informer, but the householder steps back, choosing distance; the scene conveys restraint and the refusal to exploit weakness.","primary_figures":["a householder (gṛhastha)","a grazing cow","a suspicious informer figure (sūcaka)","a calm elder advising restraint"],"setting":"Rural boundary between field and path, with a small shrine-stone under a tree and distant village huts.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["earth brown","leaf green","milk white","dusty ochre","slate gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a rural dharma tableau—cow grazing near a field boundary, a gṛhastha with folded hands averting his gaze, rejecting a whispering informer; gold leaf highlights on a small Viṣṇu emblem at a roadside shrine, rich textile reds and greens, ornate borders framing the moral scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: pastoral landscape with delicate grasses and a white cow; a refined figure turns away in restraint; a faint, darker figure suggests the informer; cool, lyrical palette with gentle hills and a quiet moral mood.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized cow and human figures with bold outlines; a clear boundary line across the ground; expressive eyes showing caution; warm reds/yellows/greens with a symbolic lotus/śaṅkha motif indicating Vaiṣṇava ethics.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative pastoral composition with cows and lotus borders; central figure embodies restraint, stepping away from a gossiping silhouette; deep blue background with gold floral filigree, peacocks watching silently from a tree branch."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["cow bells (distant)","rustling leaves","soft birdsong","quiet footfall","silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चाचक्षीत → च + आचक्षीत; संवसेत्सूचकेन → संवसेत् + सूचकेन.
FAQs
It cautions against covetous or intrusive attention toward another’s property and livelihood; the cow symbolizes valuable wealth and sustenance, so the rule discourages greed and improper intent.
A sūcaka is an informer or malicious accuser; living with such a person invites distrust, conflict, and ethical compromise, undermining social harmony and personal integrity.
It reinforces non-violence and restraint: one should not exploit another’s vulnerabilities or cause grievous injury, whether physically (vital points) or metaphorically (weaknesses).