Shloka 23
Prohibitions and Rules of Right Conduct (Ācāra): Theft, Speech, Purity, Residence, and Social Boundaries
पुण्या वा विश्रुता नद्यस्तत्र वा निवसेद्द्विजः । अर्द्धकोशं नदीकूलं वर्जयित्वा द्विजोत्तमः
puṇyā vā viśrutā nadyastatra vā nivaseddvijaḥ | arddhakośaṃ nadīkūlaṃ varjayitvā dvijottamaḥ
पुण्याः प्रसिद्धा वा नद्यः समीपे द्विजो वसेत्। तथापि हे द्विजश्रेष्ठ, नदीकूलात् अर्धकोशपर्यन्तं निवासं परिहरेत्॥
Unspecified (contextual narrator/instructor within the Svarga-khaṇḍa dialogue)
Concept: Sacred rivers are fit for residence and worship, but one should maintain a respectful/prudent distance from the immediate bank.
Application: Honor sacred spaces without exploiting them: visit rivers for snāna, japa, and offerings, but live with ecological prudence—avoid erosion/flood zones, keep waterways clean, and maintain respectful boundaries around public sacred resources.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene sacred river curves through a landscape where a dvija’s cottage sits set back on higher ground, while the immediate bank is left open for pilgrims performing snāna and offering lamps. The composition emphasizes respectful distance: a measured path from home to ghāṭa, with trees and a small shrine marking the half-krośa boundary.","primary_figures":["pilgrims performing snāna","a dvija householder","a river goddess presence (subtle, symbolic)"],"setting":"river ghāṭa with steps, lamps, banyan and aśvattha trees, a small Viṣṇu shrine, cottages on raised ground beyond","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["river teal","moon silver","lamp-flame amber","banyan green","stone gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: moonlit river ghāṭa with rows of oil lamps, pilgrims at the water, dvija dwelling placed farther back on a raised terrace, gold leaf highlights on lamps and shrine, rich jewel tones, ornate border with wave and lotus motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tranquil river bend with delicate reflections, small figures bathing, a cottage set back amid trees, soft moonlight wash, refined facial features, cool blues/greens with warm lamp accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized ghāṭa and river goddess motif, bold outlines, rhythmic lamp patterns, strong reds/yellows/greens, narrative clarity showing ‘near bank’ vs ‘set-back residence’.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative river festival-like ghāṭa scene with lotus borders, many lamps floating, small Viṣṇu shrine, peacocks and floral vines, deep indigo cloth with gold and saffron highlights."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["flowing water","soft cymbals","evening temple bell","crickets","distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नद्यस्तत्र = नद्यः तत्र; निवसेद्द्विजः = निवसेत् द्विजः; अर्द्धकोशं = अर्द्ध-कोशम्; नदीकूलं = नदी-कूलम्; द्विजोत्तमः = द्विज-उत्तमः.
FAQs
It permits dwelling near holy or renowned rivers, but sets a cautionary boundary: one should not reside too close to the riverbank (within half a krośa), implying regulated proximity to sacred waters.
Traditional dharma texts often regulate residence near waterways for reasons of purity, safety (flooding/erosion), and maintaining disciplined conduct around tirtha zones; this verse encodes such a boundary in a measurable distance.
Sacred places are to be approached with reverence and restraint: one may benefit from proximity to holy geography, yet should observe limits that protect both personal discipline and the sanctity of the site.