Shloka 15
Karmas Leading to Hell and Heaven
Ethical Catalog of Destinies
आगतान्भोजनार्थं तु ब्राह्मणान्वृत्तिकर्शितान् । प्रतिषेधं च कुर्वंति ते वै निरयगामिनः
āgatānbhojanārthaṃ tu brāhmaṇānvṛttikarśitān | pratiṣedhaṃ ca kurvaṃti te vai nirayagāminaḥ
భోజనార్థం వచ్చి, జీవనోపాధి కష్టాలతో క్షీణించిన బ్రాహ్మణులను నిరాకరించి అడ్డుకునే వారు నిశ్చయంగా నరకగాములు।
Not explicitly stated in the provided excerpt (contextual speaker unknown).
Concept: Turning away hungry, livelihood-worn brāhmaṇas who come for food is a grave breach of atithi-dharma and leads to naraka.
Application: Keep a small ‘anna-dāna’ habit: feed a guest, donate meals, support a Vedic student/teacher, or offer food respectfully to anyone in need; practice non-humiliating giving (without harsh words).
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At the threshold of a modest home, weary brāhmaṇas with thin bodies and travel dust hold begging bowls, eyes gentle but tired. The householder turns them away with a closed gesture; behind him, a darkening aura gathers, while on the other side of the doorway a warm lamp-lit kitchen glows—symbolizing the simple choice between compassion and downfall.","primary_figures":["impoverished brāhmaṇas seeking food","a householder refusing alms","a symbolic Naraka shadow (subtle)"],"setting":"Village house doorway with a visible hearth/kitchen; a dusty road outside.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm amber","clay brown","off-white cotton","charcoal shadow","brass gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: A doorway scene with embossed gold borders; brāhmaṇas in simple white garments holding bowls, rendered with compassionate faces; the householder in richer attire turning away; inside, a glowing lamp and brass vessels highlighted with gold leaf; moral contrast through luminous interior vs dark exterior shadows.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: Tender human drama at a village threshold; delicate facial expressions, soft earth tones, a small oil lamp inside; the brāhmaṇas’ fatigue shown through posture; refined brushwork and gentle narrative realism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Iconic frontal figures—brāhmaṇas at left, householder at right—strong outlines and expressive eyes; warm yellow-red interior glow; ornamental borders with rice-grain and lotus motifs; moral symbolism through color contrast.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Threshold composition framed by floral borders; bowls and food vessels stylized as repeating motifs; warm golden lamp at center; deep blue outer background with gold highlights; devotional emphasis on anna-dāna as sacred offering."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["soft bell","distant chanting","rustle of cloth","quiet hearth crackle"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: आगतान्भोजनार्थम् = आगतान् + भोजनार्थम्; ब्राह्मणान्वृत्तिकर्शितान् = ब्राह्मणान् + वृत्तिकर्शितान्; कुर्वंति (पाठभेद) = कुर्वन्ति.
FAQs
It stresses the duty of hospitality and charity—especially offering food to those who arrive seeking it, here specifically needy Brahmins.
Refusing or turning away hungry, livelihood-stricken Brahmins is condemned; the verse states such people become “nirayagāminaḥ,” destined for hell.
Primarily social ethics: it frames feeding the needy (as guests/seekers of food) as a dharmic obligation with karmic consequences.