Shloka 36
Prohibitions and Rules of Right Conduct (Ācāra): Theft, Speech, Purity, Residence, and Social Boundaries
वेदनिंदां देवनिंदां प्रयत्नेन विवर्जयेत् । यस्तु देवानृषींश्चैव वेदान्वा निंदते द्विजः
vedaniṃdāṃ devaniṃdāṃ prayatnena vivarjayet | yastu devānṛṣīṃścaiva vedānvā niṃdate dvijaḥ
वेदनिन्दां देवनिन्दां च प्रयत्नेन विवर्जयेत्। यस्तु द्विजो देवानृषींश्च वेदान्वा निन्दति॥
Unspecified (narratorial injunction within Svargakhaṇḍa; dialogue frame not provided in the input)
Concept: Reviling the Vedas and the gods is a grave transgression; one must actively avoid such speech.
Application: Avoid cynical mockery of sacred texts and sincere worshippers; practice charitable interpretation; if doubts arise, seek learned guidance rather than public derision.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A storm-darkened assembly hall where a reckless dvija begins to speak harshly against devas and Veda; the air tightens as unseen divine presence gathers. A luminous manuscript and a sacrificial fire flare subtly, signaling that sacred speech has been violated and consequences are near.","primary_figures":["reckless dvija speaker","silent sages (ṛṣis)","personified Veda as radiant manuscript","deva presence (symbolic aura)"],"setting":"Hermitage hall with yajña fire, stacks of palm-leaf Vedic texts, seated sages in a semicircle.","lighting_mood":"dramatic","color_palette":["storm gray","fire gold","ink black","saffron","electric violet"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a central yajña fire with gold leaf flames; a radiant Vedic manuscript with embossed gold; sages with stern, compassionate faces; the blaspheming figure in tense posture; ornate borders and temple motifs, emphasizing the sanctity of śāstra and the peril of nindā.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: an intimate assembly of sages under a darkening sky; delicate expressions showing alarm and restraint; the manuscript glows softly; fine linework for smoke and fire; subdued palette with sharp gold highlights at the fire and text.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, intense reds/yellows around the fire, deep greens and blacks for the hall; large-eyed sages in composed poses; the offending speaker shown with agitated gesture; symbolic deva aura behind the manuscript.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symbolic composition—central sacred fire and lotus-framed Veda manuscript; surrounding sages like petals; the offending figure at the edge, partially shadowed; intricate borders with mantra-like patterns, deep blues and gold to convey sacred authority."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["crackling fire","low thunder","sudden silence","distant conch shell","rustle of palm leaves"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: vedaniṃdāṃ → veda-nindām; devaniṃdāṃ → deva-nindām; yastu → yaḥ tu; devānṛṣīṃścaiva → devān ṛṣīn ca eva; vedānvā → vedān vā
FAQs
It teaches a rule of dharma: one should actively refrain from reviling the Vedas and the gods, treating such speech as a serious moral fault.
“Dvija” literally means “twice-born,” referring to an initiated person (traditionally Brahmin, and in some contexts other initiated varṇas) who bears special responsibility to uphold Vedic respect and conduct.
They represent interconnected authorities in the Purāṇic worldview: the Vedas as sacred revelation, the devas as cosmic administrators honored in Vedic ritual, and the rishis as seers/transmitters of Vedic knowledge—so reviling any of them is portrayed as a grave breach of reverence.