Shloka 79
Prohibitions and Rules of Right Conduct (Ācāra): Theft, Speech, Purity, Residence, and Social Boundaries
न वृक्षमवरोहेत नावेक्षेताशुचिः क्वचित् । अग्नौ न च क्षिपेदग्निं नाद्भिः प्रशमयेत्तथा
na vṛkṣamavaroheta nāvekṣetāśuciḥ kvacit | agnau na ca kṣipedagniṃ nādbhiḥ praśamayettathā
Não se deve descer de uma árvore, nem jamais olhar para um rito ou fogo sagrado estando impuro. Não se deve lançar nada no fogo, nem apagá-lo com água.
Unspecified (narratorial injunction within Svarga-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Ritual acts require śauca and non-violence toward agni; impurity and improper extinguishing disrupt dharmic order.
Application: Approach worship only after basic cleanliness; avoid careless disposal into flames; never douse sacred lamps/homa fires with water—extinguish respectfully per custom.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A forest-edge hermitage shows a small ritual fire burning steadily while a devotee, freshly bathed, approaches with offerings. Nearby, a careless figure is shown in contrast—about to toss refuse or splash water—frozen in a cautionary tableau that highlights the dharmic boundary around agni.","primary_figures":["Hermit-priest (ṛtvik)","Devotee with offerings","Agni (sacred fire)"],"setting":"Hermitage clearing with thatched hut, fire altar, trees and hanging water-pot, ritual ladles placed neatly","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sunrise gold","leaf green","clay brown","ash white","saffron"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: hermitage yajña scene with a radiant agni-kuṇḍa, priest in white, devotee holding ghee-ladle; gold leaf flames and halos, rich saffron and emerald textiles, ornate borders, sacred vessels highlighted with metallic detailing; a subtle vignette showing the forbidden act crossed out by gesture and composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene āśrama at dawn, delicate smoke trails, refined figures; one figure pauses before approaching the fire after bathing, emphasizing śauca; cool greens and warm golds, lyrical trees, gentle riverless landscape, intricate textile patterns.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized agni with rhythmic flame motifs, priest and devotee in bold outlines; strong red/yellow/green palette, temple-wall framing, symbolic depiction of impurity as darker tones kept outside the ritual circle.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central sacred fire before a Vishnu shrine motif, surrounded by lotus borders; devotees offering ghee and flowers; deep blue ground with gold highlights; decorative motifs subtly indicating ‘do not throw’ and ‘do not douse’ through narrative panels."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"authoritative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling fire","woodland birds","soft bell strikes","wind through leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vṛkṣamavarohet = vṛkṣam + avarohet; nāvekṣetāśuciḥ = na + avekṣeta + aśuciḥ; kṣipedagniṃ = kṣipet + agnim; nādbhiḥ = na + adbhiḥ; praśamayettathā = praśamayet + tathā
FAQs
It teaches disciplined conduct around purity and the sacred fire: avoid approaching or engaging with sacred acts while impure, and treat fire with restraint—do not pollute it by throwing things in, and do not disrespectfully extinguish it with water.
In dharma literature, aśauca (impurity) is seen as incompatible with certain sacred contexts; the verse stresses inner and outer cleanliness as a prerequisite for respectful participation or even observation of sanctified rites.
It reflects reverence for agni as sacred and ritually significant; when fire is part of worship or household rites, it should be maintained or concluded properly rather than abruptly quenched in a way considered disrespectful or ritually improper.