Shloka 93
Prohibitions and Rules of Right Conduct (Ācāra): Theft, Speech, Purity, Residence, and Social Boundaries
स्वां तु नाक्रामयेच्छायां पतिताद्यैर्न रोगिभिः । नांगारभस्मकेशादिष्वधितिष्ठेत्कदाचन
svāṃ tu nākrāmayecchāyāṃ patitādyairna rogibhiḥ | nāṃgārabhasmakeśādiṣvadhitiṣṭhetkadācana
पतितादिभिर्न रोगिभिश्च स्वच्छायां नाक्रामयेत्; न चाङ्गार-भस्म-केशादिषु मलिनावशेषेषु कदाचन अधितिष्ठेत्।
Unspecified (contextual speaker not provided in the excerpt; likely a narrator/teacher within the Svarga-khaṇḍa dialogue frame)
Concept: Śauca (ritual purity) is protected by mindful bodily conduct; avoiding contact with impure remnants preserves adhikāra for mantra, pūjā, and vrata.
Application: Maintain cleanliness in worship spaces; avoid stepping on discarded bodily remnants (hair) or ritual refuse; keep a respectful distance from situations that compromise hygiene during japa, pūjā, or fasting days.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A quiet temple courtyard at dawn: a devotee pauses mid-step as a sick man and a fallen outcaste figure pass nearby, the devotee carefully turning aside so his shadow is not trampled. Near a small fire-altar lie faint embers and a sweep of ash with a few strands of hair—visual reminders of what must not be stepped upon.","primary_figures":["a Vaishnava devotee (dvija)","a temple attendant","a sick traveler","a narrator-sage presence (subtle, seated)"],"setting":"stone-paved temple courtyard with tulasi-vṛndāvana in the background, a small homa-kuṇḍa, and a broom leaning by a pillar","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron ochre","stone gray","smoke white","tulasi green","lamp-flame gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a South Indian temple courtyard with a central dvija devotee in white dhoti and uttariya, hands in respectful restraint, avoiding stepping near a homa-kuṇḍa with glowing embers and ash; a tulasi-vṛndāvana behind; gold leaf embellishment on temple pillars, lamp halos, and ornaments; rich reds and greens, gem-studded borders, traditional iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate courtyard scene at sunrise, refined faces and gentle gestures of avoidance, soft smoke from embers, a small tulasi shrine, cool pastel architecture, lyrical naturalism with birds perched on eaves; fine linework and subtle shading.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, flat natural pigments; temple courtyard with homa fire, ash and hair depicted as symbolic motifs; large expressive eyes on figures; dominant red/yellow/green palette; ornamental floral borders around the frame.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional courtyard with ornate floral borders and lotus motifs; tulasi-vṛndāvana prominent; deep blue background with gold detailing; peacocks near the shrine; the devotee’s careful step rendered as a moral tableau within Nathdwara-like decorative symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells (distant)","soft conch shell","morning birds","faint crackle of embers","silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: nākrāmayet = na + ākrāmayet; patitādyairna = patita-ādyaiḥ + na; nāṃgārabhasmakeśādiṣu = na + aṅgāra-bhasma-keśa-ādiṣu; adhitiṣṭhetkadācana = adhitiṣṭhet + kadācana.
FAQs
It gives śauca-ācāra (purity and conduct) rules: do not allow one’s shadow to be stepped on by those considered impure (e.g., “patita”) or by the sick, and avoid standing on impure remnants like embers, ashes, and hair.
They are treated as leftover remnants (ucchiṣṭa/impurity-adjacent materials) in many Dharma and Purāṇic conduct lists, so stepping on them is discouraged as a breach of ritual cleanliness.
The verse reinforces mindful self-discipline and respect for boundaries—maintaining personal and ritual order by avoiding situations symbolizing impurity, neglect, or disorder.