Shloka 17
Determination of Expiations for Sexual Transgressions and Improper Associations
परांगनां यदागच्छेत्कृच्छ्रं सांतपनं चरेत् । यथार्गला तथा योषित्तस्मात्तां परिवर्जयेत्
parāṃganāṃ yadāgacchetkṛcchraṃ sāṃtapanaṃ caret | yathārgalā tathā yoṣittasmāttāṃ parivarjayet
Jika seseorang mendatangi wanita milik orang lain, hendaklah dia menjalani tapa berat Kṛcchra dan juga penebusan Sāntapana. Wanita orang lain ibarat palang di jalan; maka hendaklah dijauhi.
Unspecified (didactic narration within Brahma-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Adultery is a dharmic obstruction; if transgressed, severe prāyaścitta is required, and avoidance is the wiser preventive discipline.
Application: Practice preventive ethics: avoid compromising situations; if a boundary is crossed, accept consequences, undertake corrective discipline, and rebuild trust through restraint.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A lone traveler pauses on a forest path where a heavy iron bolt blocks the way, symbolizing forbidden temptation. In the background, a penitent sits beside a small fire, performing Kṛcchra and Sāntapana with austere resolve, while shadowy forms of distraction fade into the trees.","primary_figures":["penitent man","symbolic feminine silhouette (as temptation, non-erotic, allegorical)","ascetic guide (optional)"],"setting":"forest path leading to a distant temple spire; a small penance-fire on a cleared patch","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["smoky gray","forest green","rust iron","saffron ochre","twilight blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: allegorical scene of a dharma-path with a prominent ornate ‘bolt’ motif, penitent seated by a small sacred fire, gold leaf used to highlight the distant temple and the flame, rich maroon/green garments, stylized trees, symmetrical composition with moral clarity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical forest path with delicate foliage, a subtle symbolic barrier across the trail, penitent figure in simple cloth near a tiny fire, cool mountain palette and refined expressions, distant shrine on a hill, minimal ornamentation emphasizing restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines of the path and barrier, stylized trees, penitent with large eyes and simplified anatomy, warm red-yellow-green pigments, flame motif central, decorative border with repeating leaf patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: moral allegory framed by intricate floral borders, a central path motif leading to a small Viṣṇu shrine, symbolic barrier rendered as ornate latch, deep indigo background with gold highlights, peacocks and lotuses subdued to keep the tone admonitory."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["dry wind through leaves","distant temple bell","crackling fire","brief silence after warning phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यदागच्छेत् = यदा + आगच्छेत्; योषित्तस्मात्तां = योषित् + तस्मात् + ताम्.
FAQs
It warns against approaching another person’s spouse and frames it as a serious moral transgression requiring expiation, while urging complete avoidance of the temptation.
They are traditional prāyaścitta (expiatory) austerities prescribed in Dharma literature; this verse states they should be undertaken if the offense of approaching another’s woman is committed.
The simile presents illicit attraction as an obstruction that blocks one’s dharmic progress, urging restraint and avoidance rather than indulgence.