Shloka 21
न पूजिता महादेवा गावोऽप्यतिथयस्तथा । न कदाचित्कृतं पुण्यमल्पं वानल्पमेव च
na pūjitā mahādevā gāvo'pyatithayastathā | na kadācitkṛtaṃ puṇyamalpaṃ vānalpameva ca
न पूजिता महादेवाः गावोऽप्यतिथयस्तथा । न कदाचित्कृतं पुण्यमल्पं वानल्पमेव च ॥
Unspecified (context-dependent within Adhyaya 35)
Concept: Neglect of worship, cow-honoring, and hospitality—along with absence of puṇya—creates severe post-death suffering; household dharma is non-negotiable.
Application: Maintain a minimum daily dharma: simple worship, feeding guests/others, kindness to animals (especially cows), and regular charity; track life by puṇya-building habits, not only income.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The speaking spirit bows its head in shame as it lists its omissions: no worship, no honoring of cows, no welcoming of guests. Around it appear symbolic vignettes—an unlit shrine, a thirsty cow at a closed gate, a traveler turned away—each hovering like accusatory memories in the air.","primary_figures":["piśāca/preta (confessing)","symbolic atithi (traveler)","symbolic cow"],"setting":"a dim liminal space between grove and village boundary, with ghostly memory-scenes floating like panels","lighting_mood":"lamp-lit gloom with stark highlights on the memory-vignettes","color_palette":["soot black","lamp amber","dust brown","pale ash","dull crimson"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central remorseful spirit figure; three surrounding medallions—unlit shrine, cow at gate, guest turned away—outlined with gold leaf; rich red-green borders, embossed gold to contrast sacred duty with neglect, traditional ornamental framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: narrative triptych composition with delicate figures—cow, guest, small household shrine—rendered as translucent memories; subdued palette, refined expressions of refusal and regret, gentle architectural detail of a courtyard gate.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and symbolic clarity—unlit lamp, cow, guest; the confessor in the center with expressive eyes; strong red-yellow-green pigments, temple-wall storytelling with moral emphasis.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate border of vines and lotuses framing a moral tableau; central figure in penitence; surrounding motifs—cow, guest, shrine—stylized like devotional icons; deep blue-black ground with gold accents to heighten didactic solemnity."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["single low bell","long pauses","faint conch echo","night insects","stillness"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गावोऽप्यतिथयस्तथा = गावः + अपि + अतिथयः + तथा; कदाचित्कृतं = कदाचित् + कृतम्; पुण्यमल्पं = पुण्यम् + अल्पम्; वानल्पमेव = वा + अनल्पम् + एव
FAQs
It criticizes neglect of worship of Mahādeva (Śiva), failure to honor cows, and failure to serve guests (atithi), along with an overall absence of any meritorious deeds.
Puṇya is presented as actionable virtue—performed deeds—ranging from minor to major; the verse stresses that none at all have been done.
Religious devotion should be accompanied by lived dharma: reverence to the divine, care for cows, and hospitality to guests—core social and moral duties in Purāṇic ethics.