Shloka 129
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
न संति यदि लोकेषु चत्वारोमी महत्तराः । तदाखिलं च भुवनं नष्टं स्थावरजंगमम्
na saṃti yadi lokeṣu catvāromī mahattarāḥ | tadākhilaṃ ca bhuvanaṃ naṣṭaṃ sthāvarajaṃgamam
Jika di dalam dunia-dunia tidak wujud empat yang maha agung itu, maka seluruh alam semesta—yang tetap dan yang bergerak—akan musnah.
Unspecified (context required to attribute within the Adhyāya’s dialogue frame)
Concept: The cosmos depends on four great sustaining principles/entities; without them, all beings perish.
Application: Honor and protect the pillars that sustain life (especially dharmic supports like nourishment, non-violence, and caretaking); recognize interdependence rather than entitlement.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A vast cosmic panorama shows the three worlds trembling at the edge of dissolution: mountains crack, oceans surge, and beings—immovable trees and moving creatures—freeze in fear. Four luminous, pillar-like presences stand at the cardinal directions, holding the universe in balance as a subtle Viṣṇu-like sustaining radiance pervades the scene.","primary_figures":["Four great sustaining presences (symbolic)","Vishnu (subtle sustaining aura)","Sthāvara beings (trees, mountains)","Jaṅgama beings (humans, animals, birds)"],"setting":"Cosmic vista spanning earth, mid-space, and heaven; the universe depicted as layered lokas with a central axis.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["deep indigo","cosmic violet","golden white","ash gray","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a central cosmic mandala with four radiant pillar-deities at the quarters holding the lokas; subtle Viṣṇu aura behind them; gold leaf halos, rich crimson and emerald borders, gem-studded ornaments, stylized clouds and oceans, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate layered lokas in a Himalayan-like atmospheric perspective; four luminous guardians as refined figures at the corners; lyrical naturalism with tiny animals and trees; cool blues and soft gold washes; fine facial features and intricate textile patterns.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and flat natural pigments; cosmic layers with stylized waves and mountains; four quarter-figures as dhāraṇa forms; large expressive eyes; dominant reds, yellows, greens with a central white-gold radiance.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a circular universe framed by lotus borders; four symbolic supports as ornate motifs at the corners; deep blue ground with gold detailing; abundant floral filigree, peacocks and cows as life-symbols, intricate border patterns reminiscent of Nathdwara textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low temple drone","distant conch shell","wind-like hush","subtle thunder","brief silence after cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तदा + अखिलम् → तदाखिलम्; स्थावर + जङ्गमम् → स्थावरजङ्गमम्
FAQs
The verse alludes to “four eminent supports” of the world-order, but this single shloka does not name them. Their identity depends on the surrounding verses of Adhyāya 48 (e.g., whether the passage is discussing four varṇas, four āśramas, four guardians, or four sages/deities).
It is a standard Sanskrit pair meaning all beings: sthāvara (immovable life/forms such as trees, plants, mountains) and jaṅgama (moving beings such as animals and humans). It signifies the totality of creation.
It teaches that cosmic stability depends on foundational “great” principles or exemplars; without them, the whole order of life collapses—implying the necessity of sustaining dharma and the pillars that uphold society and the cosmos.