Shloka 186
The Five Great Sacrifices: Supremacy of Honoring Parents, Pativrata Dharma, Truthfulness, and Śrāddha
श्रीभगवानुवाच । कल्याणानां च सर्वेषां कर्त्ता मूको जगत्त्रये । वृत्तस्थो योपि चाण्डालस्तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः
śrībhagavānuvāca | kalyāṇānāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ karttā mūko jagattraye | vṛttastho yopi cāṇḍālastaṃ devā brāhmaṇaṃ viduḥ
श्रीभगवानुवाच—यः कश्चिन्मूकः अपि जगत्त्रये सर्वकल्याणकर्मणां कर्ता, सदाचारनिष्ठः सन्, जन्मना चाण्डालोऽपि, तं देवा ब्राह्मणमेव विदुः।
Śrī Bhagavān (the Lord)
Concept: Varṇa by birth is secondary to varṇa by guṇa and karma; righteous conduct and universal beneficence elevate a person beyond social labels.
Application: Judge self and others by character and service; cultivate consistent good deeds, truthfulness, non-harm, and devotion rather than relying on status.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Bhagavān speaks from a radiant presence, his gaze compassionate yet firm, as celestial beings hover in assent. A humble caṇḍāla devotee—silent, hands folded—stands steady in right conduct, while a faint aura of sacred thread-like light appears around him, symbolizing recognized brāhmaṇatva.","primary_figures":["Śrī Bhagavān (Viṣṇu/Nārāyaṇa as speaker)","a mute caṇḍāla devotee","deva-gaṇa (celestial witnesses)"],"setting":"a liminal sacred court—half earthly, half celestial—suggesting the ‘three worlds’ as backdrop","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","gold leaf","ivory white","lotus pink","smoky violet"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Viṣṇu seated with gold-leaf halo and ornate crown, right hand in abhaya; below, a humble mute devotee in simple cloth stands with folded hands, a subtle luminous yajnopavita-like aura; devas in the upper register; rich reds/greens, heavy jewelry, embossed gold detailing on halos and ornaments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: serene Viṣṇu under a flowering tree with soft celestial glow; the devotee stands quietly, eyes lowered; delicate devas in the sky; cool blues and gentle pinks, refined facial features, lyrical naturalism and thin brushwork.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal Viṣṇu with bold outlines and large expressive eyes; the devotee rendered with dignified simplicity; devas arranged symmetrically; red-yellow-green palette with stylized lotus border and temple-wall texture.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Viṣṇu with lotus motifs and ornate floral borders; the devotee at the lower center amid patterned lotuses; peacocks and cows at the sides as auspicious symbols; deep blue ground with gold highlights and intricate ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft conch drone","temple bells","gentle tanpura","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: श्रीभगवानुवाच = श्रीभगवान् + उवाच; जगत्त्रये = जगत् + त्रये; योपि = यः + अपि; चाण्डालस्तम् = चाण्डालः + तम्.
FAQs
By conduct: it states that one established in vṛtta (right conduct) and devoted to good works is recognized as a brāhmaṇa, even if born as a caṇḍāla.
Moral worth and spiritual dignity are measured by character and beneficial action (kalyāṇa), not by external status or social label.
The verse emphasizes a higher, divine معيار of evaluation: the gods acknowledge inner virtue and righteous living as the true mark of nobility.