Shloka 23
Prayāga’s Supremacy Among Tīrthas: Faith, Yoga, Charity, and the Ethics of Attainment
गच्छंति नरकं घोरं ये नराः पापकारिणः । हस्त्यश्वं गामनड्वाहं मणिमुक्तादि कांचनम्
gacchaṃti narakaṃ ghoraṃ ye narāḥ pāpakāriṇaḥ | hastyaśvaṃ gāmanaḍvāhaṃ maṇimuktādi kāṃcanam
ये नराः पापकारिणो घोरं नरकं गच्छन्ति—हस्त्यश्वं गामनड्वाहं मणिमुक्तादिकाञ्चनं च (अपहृत्य)॥
Unspecified (narratorial voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Sinful appropriation—especially of high-value and dharmically protected property (cattle, animals of state, precious goods)—leads to dreadful hellish results.
Application: Avoid theft, exploitation, and unethical gain; treat animals and community resources as sacred trusts; practice honest livelihood and restitution where harm occurred.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stark underworld panorama: sinners clutch stolen jewels and gold as they are driven toward a yawning, smoke-filled chasm labeled by ominous signifiers of naraka. In the foreground, a cow and bull stand as silent witnesses, while spectral elephants and horses loom like accusations, emphasizing the weight of stolen life and labor.","primary_figures":["sinful humans (symbolic)","yamadūtas (implied)","cow and bull","elephant and horse (symbolic)"],"setting":"Naraka threshold—rocky terrain, iron gates, swirling smoke, scattered broken ornaments and chains.","lighting_mood":"smoky twilight","color_palette":["charcoal black","rust red","ashen gray","dull gold","sickly green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: dramatic moral tableau with gold leaf used ironically on stolen ornaments; dark maroon-black background, fierce gate motifs, stylized yamadūtas; cow and bull rendered with sacred dignity; heavy ornamental border contrasting with the grim scene.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: narrative underworld scene with fine linework; muted palette, expressive faces of fear; symbolic animals (elephant, horse, cow) arranged as moral emblems; rocky landscape with curling smoke rendered in delicate washes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and intense reds; naraka gate with stylized flames; sinners holding jewels and gold; cow and bull as central icons of violated dharma; flat color fields heightening didactic impact.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical composition—dark indigo ground with red-black flames; ornate border of thorny vines replacing floral motifs; central cow motif as dharma’s witness; gold detailing on jewels to underscore temptation and downfall."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["thunder rumble","iron gate clang","distant cries (subtle)","low drum","wind"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: हस्त्यश्वं = हस्ति + अश्वम् (द्वन्द्व); गामनड्वाहं = गाम् + अनड्वाहम् (द्वन्द्व); मणिमुक्तादि = मणि + मुक्त(ा) + आदि.
FAQs
It teaches that sinful actions lead to painful consequences (naraka), highlighting moral accountability through karma.
They represent common objects of exploitation or theft—livestock, transport/wealth, and precious metals—used to emphasize concrete ethical violations and their karmic results.
Avoid harming others through greed—do not steal, exploit, or wrongfully take living beings or property; such pāpa is said to result in severe suffering.