Shloka 23
Prayāga’s Supremacy Among Tīrthas: Faith, Yoga, Charity, and the Ethics of Attainment
गच्छंति नरकं घोरं ये नराः पापकारिणः । हस्त्यश्वं गामनड्वाहं मणिमुक्तादि कांचनम्
gacchaṃti narakaṃ ghoraṃ ye narāḥ pāpakāriṇaḥ | hastyaśvaṃ gāmanaḍvāhaṃ maṇimuktādi kāṃcanam
Orang yang melakukan dosa akan pergi ke neraka yang mengerikan—dengan dosa itu merampas gajah dan kuda, lembu betina dan lembu jantan, juga permata, mutiara dan seumpamanya, serta emas.
Unspecified (narratorial voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Sinful appropriation—especially of high-value and dharmically protected property (cattle, animals of state, precious goods)—leads to dreadful hellish results.
Application: Avoid theft, exploitation, and unethical gain; treat animals and community resources as sacred trusts; practice honest livelihood and restitution where harm occurred.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stark underworld panorama: sinners clutch stolen jewels and gold as they are driven toward a yawning, smoke-filled chasm labeled by ominous signifiers of naraka. In the foreground, a cow and bull stand as silent witnesses, while spectral elephants and horses loom like accusations, emphasizing the weight of stolen life and labor.","primary_figures":["sinful humans (symbolic)","yamadūtas (implied)","cow and bull","elephant and horse (symbolic)"],"setting":"Naraka threshold—rocky terrain, iron gates, swirling smoke, scattered broken ornaments and chains.","lighting_mood":"smoky twilight","color_palette":["charcoal black","rust red","ashen gray","dull gold","sickly green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic moral tableau with gold leaf used ironically on stolen ornaments; dark maroon-black background, fierce gate motifs, stylized yamadūtas; cow and bull rendered with sacred dignity; heavy ornamental border contrasting with the grim scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: narrative underworld scene with fine linework; muted palette, expressive faces of fear; symbolic animals (elephant, horse, cow) arranged as moral emblems; rocky landscape with curling smoke rendered in delicate washes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and intense reds; naraka gate with stylized flames; sinners holding jewels and gold; cow and bull as central icons of violated dharma; flat color fields heightening didactic impact.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical composition—dark indigo ground with red-black flames; ornate border of thorny vines replacing floral motifs; central cow motif as dharma’s witness; gold detailing on jewels to underscore temptation and downfall."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["thunder rumble","iron gate clang","distant cries (subtle)","low drum","wind"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हस्त्यश्वं = हस्ति + अश्वम् (द्वन्द्व); गामनड्वाहं = गाम् + अनड्वाहम् (द्वन्द्व); मणिमुक्तादि = मणि + मुक्त(ा) + आदि.
FAQs
It teaches that sinful actions lead to painful consequences (naraka), highlighting moral accountability through karma.
They represent common objects of exploitation or theft—livestock, transport/wealth, and precious metals—used to emphasize concrete ethical violations and their karmic results.
Avoid harming others through greed—do not steal, exploit, or wrongfully take living beings or property; such pāpa is said to result in severe suffering.