Shloka 12
Prohibitions and Rules of Right Conduct (Ācāra): Theft, Speech, Purity, Residence, and Social Boundaries
प्रेत्येह चेदृशो विप्रो गर्ह्यते ब्रह्मवादिभिः । छद्मनाचरितं यच्च व्रतं रक्षांसि गच्छति
pretyeha cedṛśo vipro garhyate brahmavādibhiḥ | chadmanācaritaṃ yacca vrataṃ rakṣāṃsi gacchati
Jika seorang brāhmaṇa demikian, maka selepas mati dan bahkan di dunia ini pun dia dicela oleh para pengajar Brahman; dan setiap vrata yang diamalkan dengan tipu daya jatuh kepada rākṣasa (berbuah sifat demoni, bukan pahala).
Unspecified (narrative voice within the Adhyaya; likely a senior sage instructing the listener in the Pulastya–Bhīṣma frame)
Concept: Deceitful observance nullifies merit: hypocritical vrata becomes rākṣasa-gāmin—yielding demonic fruit and public censure.
Application: Audit motives before religious acts; seek guidance from trustworthy teachers; prioritize truthfulness and restitution over image-management.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A tribunal-like assembly of brahmavādins sits in austere radiance, censuring a deceitful brāhmaṇa whose ritual thread and vow-items appear tarnished. From the smoke of his ‘false vrata’ rises a dark rākṣasa form, catching the misdirected merit like a thief, while the man recoils in fear—his own hypocrisy made visible.","primary_figures":["brahmavādins (sages)","deceitful brāhmaṇa vratin","rākṣasa figure (symbolic)"],"setting":"a liminal court between earth and afterlife—half temple hall, half subtle realm with mist and judgment-seat","lighting_mood":"divine radiance with ominous shadow","color_palette":["ashen gray","radiant white","blood red","obsidian","burnished gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a judgmental assembly of sages with gold leaf halos, the deceitful vratin in the center with dulled ornaments, a stylized rākṣasa emerging from ritual smoke, heavy gold detailing on the court arch, dramatic contrast of luminous sages and dark demonic figure.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: ethereal misty court scene, sages in calm rows, the vratin trembling, a shadowy rākṣasa silhouette collecting the ‘phala’ as a glowing orb, delicate gradients and refined expressions, cool grays with sharp red accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: narrative panel of sages condemning hypocrisy, bold outlines, the rākṣasa rendered with stylized ferocity, strong red/black contrasts, symbolic flames and smoke patterns, temple-wall didactic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical composition—central ritual fire and lamp, sages as a circular mandala, a dark rākṣasa motif at the border ‘stealing’ a golden phala, intricate floral borders, deep blue and gold with stark black-red warning elements."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell blast","low thunder rumble","temple gong","ritual fire crackle","sudden hush"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रेत्येह = प्रेत्य इह; चेदृशो = चेत् ईदृशः; छद्मनाचरितं = छद्मना आचरितम्; यच्च = यत् च.
FAQs
It teaches that religious observances (vratas) must be performed with sincerity; deceitful practice brings blame and produces demonic (unwholesome) results rather than merit.
Brahmavādins are those who speak of and uphold Brahman—teachers or knowers of spiritual truth—who judge conduct by dharma rather than outward show.
Integrity: outward piety without inner honesty is condemned, and manipulating vows for appearance or gain is portrayed as spiritually harmful.