Shloka 25
The Yayāti Episode
with the Glory of Mātā–Pitṛ Tīrtha
सगोत्रां रमसे नारीं सर्वधर्मप्रणाशकः । पुण्यज्ञानविहीनात्मा कुष्ठवांश्च भविष्यसि
sagotrāṃ ramase nārīṃ sarvadharmapraṇāśakaḥ | puṇyajñānavihīnātmā kuṣṭhavāṃśca bhaviṣyasi
Se te deleitas com uma mulher do mesmo clã, tornas-te destruidor de todo dharma; sem mérito e sem verdadeiro conhecimento, serás afligido pela lepra.
Unspecified (contextual narrator/teacher voice within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa Adhyaya 78)
Concept: Violating lineage-boundaries (sagotra-saṅga) is portrayed as dharma-destroying, leading to loss of puṇya and jñāna and manifesting as disease.
Application: Respect social-ethical boundaries; seek guidance from elders/ācāryas; when mistakes occur, pursue prāyaścitta, sāttvika living, and devotional reform rather than denial.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A didactic tableau: a teacher-sage points to a genealogical palm-leaf chart while a young man and woman stand apart, faces conflicted, as a faint spectral image of diseased skin appears like a karmic warning in the air. In the background, a small Viṣṇu shrine lamp burns steadily, suggesting the path of restraint and purification.","primary_figures":["a dharma-teaching sage","a conflicted couple (symbolic)","a small Viṣṇu icon/shrine lamp"],"setting":"forest āśrama with palm-leaf manuscripts, lineage diagram, and a modest shrine platform","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["leaf green","saffron ochre","palm-leaf tan","lamp gold","soft brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: āśrama teaching scene—sage with palm-leaf manuscripts and lineage chart, couple shown respectfully separated, a symbolic karmic ‘kuṣṭha’ warning rendered as a faint aura; gold leaf on shrine arch and ornaments, rich reds/greens, devotional undertone with Viṣṇu lamp glowing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene hermitage with delicate trees and streamlet, sage instructing with gentle firmness, couple in modest attire with downcast eyes; cool natural palette, refined expressions, subtle moral symbolism in a translucent warning cloud.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; sage with commanding gesture, couple in profile, background shrine with bright lamp; earthy reds/yellows/greens, stylized foliage, didactic panel composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: moral teaching medallion framed by lotus creepers; include a small Viṣṇu shrine and tulasi pot as a symbolic purifier (even if not explicit in verse), peacocks and floral borders; deep blues and gold with intricate ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","soft tanpura drone","distant cow lowing","temple lamp crackle","quiet admonitory cadence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: कुष्ठवांश्च = कुष्ठवान् + च; सर्वधर्मप्रणाशकः = सर्वधर्म + प्रणाशकः (समास); पुण्यज्ञानविहीनात्मा = पुण्यज्ञानविहीनः + आत्मा (बहुव्रीहिसमास)
FAQs
It warns that sexual relations within the same gotra (lineage) are treated as a grave breach of dharma, leading to loss of merit and spiritual discernment.
It states that such a person becomes deprived of puṇya (merit) and jñāna (true knowledge) and is destined to suffer from kuṣṭha (a severe skin disease, traditionally rendered as leprosy).
This verse reads primarily as a dharma-ethical injunction with karmic consequences, rather than a direct bhakti (devotional) instruction.