Shloka 76
Prohibitions and Rules of Right Conduct (Ācāra): Theft, Speech, Purity, Residence, and Social Boundaries
व्यतिक्रामेन्न स्रवंतीं नाप्सु मैथुनमाचरेत् । चैत्यवृक्षं न वै छिंद्यान्नाप्सु ष्ठीवनमाचरेत्
vyatikrāmenna sravaṃtīṃ nāpsu maithunamācaret | caityavṛkṣaṃ na vai chiṃdyānnāpsu ṣṭhīvanamācaret
ഒഴുകുന്ന ധാരയെ തടയരുത്; വെള്ളത്തിൽ മൈഥുനം ആചരിക്കരുത്. ചൈത്യവൃക്ഷം (പവിത്രവൃക്ഷം) മുറിക്കരുത്; വെള്ളത്തിൽ തുപ്പുകയും ചെയ്യരുത്।
Unspecified (narratorial injunction within a dharma/ācāra passage)
Concept: Dharma includes ecological and bodily restraint: do not obstruct natural sacred flows, do not sexualize sacred waters, protect caitya-vṛkṣas, and keep water free from defilement.
Application: Do not dam/dirty small streams near temples; avoid indecent behavior at bathing places; protect old sacred trees; never spit into rivers/ponds—treat water as prasāda.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A narrow, sparkling stream runs unobstructed through a sacred grove where a caitya-vṛkṣa is wrapped with prayer threads and marked with vermilion. A pilgrim gently cups water for ācamana while a temple attendant stops someone from cutting branches and another from spitting—turning the scene into a quiet manifesto of sacred ecology.","primary_figures":["pilgrim devotee","temple attendant/guardian","caitya-vṛkṣa (sacred tree personified subtly)"],"setting":"sacred grove beside a stream, small shrine-stone under the tree, prayer flags, offerings of flowers","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["leaf green","river silver","vermillion red","marigold orange","earth brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sacred grove with a caitya-vṛkṣa adorned in threads and garlands; gold leaf accents on water highlights and shrine ornaments; attendant prevents tree-cutting and water-defilement; rich reds/greens, ornate border, devotional ecology theme.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical forest with delicate foliage; a clear stream winding through; sacred tree with subtle shrine stone; gentle moral action—guardian stopping harm—rendered with refined expressions and cool natural palette.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of sacred tree and flowing stream; ritual markings on the tree; figures in clear gestures of prohibition and reverence; warm reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall composition with decorative bands.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: intricate floral borders and lotus motifs; grove scene with peacocks; sacred tree central like a deity; devotees maintaining purity of water; deep greens and blues with gold accents, Nathdwara-like ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["flowing stream","rustling leaves","soft temple bell","distant conch","forest birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vyatikrāmenna = vyatikrāmet + na; nāpsu = na + apsu; maithunamācaret = maithunam + ācaret; chiṃdyānnāpsu = chindyāt + na + apsu; ṣṭhīvanamācaret = ṣṭhīvanam + ācaret.
FAQs
They protect sanctity and public purity: preserving flowing water, avoiding pollution, and refraining from harm to sacred natural sites (like caitya trees).
Water is treated as ritually and socially sacred; spitting is a direct act of contamination, especially relevant at tīrthas and communal water sources.
A tree associated with a shrine, memorial, or sacred spot—treated as worthy of reverence and therefore not to be cut.