Shloka 160
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
अपाने सर्वतीर्थानि प्रस्रावे चैव जाह्नवी । ऋषयो रोमकूपेषु मुखतः पृष्ठतो यमः
apāne sarvatīrthāni prasrāve caiva jāhnavī | ṛṣayo romakūpeṣu mukhataḥ pṛṣṭhato yamaḥ
అపానమార్గంలో సమస్త తీర్థాలు నివసిస్తాయి; వీర్యప్రవాహంలో జాహ్నవీ (గంగా) స్థితి. రోమకూపాలలో ఋషులు ఉంటారు; ముందుగా ముఖము, వెనుకగా యముడు (మృత్యుదేవుడు) ఉన్నాడు.
Unspecified (narratorial/teachings context in Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa; exact dialogue speaker not stated in the provided excerpt)
Concept: Sacredness is not only external; the body contains tīrthas and witnesses (ṛṣis), while death (Yama) stands as a constant reminder—therefore live with purity and accountability.
Application: Practice bodily and mental cleanliness, sexual restraint and responsibility, and daily remembrance of mortality to prioritize nāma-japa, charity, and non-harm; treat every action as occurring before sages (inner conscience).
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A symbolic human figure is shown as a sacred map: at the lower abdomen a glowing ring labeled ‘sarva-tīrtha’ like a confluence of waters; a thin silver-blue stream marked ‘Jāhnavī’ flows as a sanctifying current. Countless tiny ṛṣis appear like sparks within the skin pores, while a shadowed, dignified Yama stands behind the figure holding a noose, reminding of time and consequence.","primary_figures":["Gaṅgā (as Jāhnavī)","Ṛṣis (miniature forms)","Yama","symbolic human figure"],"setting":"Mythic-visual ‘inner cosmos’ with faint river motifs and subtle cremation-ground horizon implied behind Yama (kept restrained, not gruesome).","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["river-silver","deep indigo","smoky violet","saffron gold","ash gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central standing figure with gold-outlined anatomy; at the lower region a jeweled confluence motif representing all tīrthas; a small Gaṅgā goddess icon (Jāhnavī) as a silver-blue stream; pores dotted with tiny gold-haloed sages; behind, Yama in dark blue-green with ornate crown and pāśa, rendered dignified; heavy gold leaf, rich maroons and emerald greens, temple-arch framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant allegory—soft washes show a translucent body with a delicate river line labeled Jāhnavī; tiny sages like fireflies across the skin; Yama as a restrained, shadowed figure behind, not terrifying but solemn; cool palette, fine brushwork, minimal background with a faint riverbank and distant trees.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; Gaṅgā as a stylized river-goddess motif in blue-white; sages as repeated small icons across the skin; Yama with characteristic mural eyes and strong contours, holding pāśa; warm red/yellow/green base with indigo accents, temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional diagram framed by lotus borders; ‘sarva-tīrtha’ shown as a circular water-mandala; Gaṅgā stream in shimmering white-blue; sages as patterned dots like floral seeds; Yama placed at the rear edge as a dark guardian motif; deep blue ground, gold detailing, intricate border florals."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["low temple bell","soft flowing water","distant conch","brief silence after ‘yamaḥ’"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: caiva = ca + eva; romakūpeṣu = roma + kūpeṣu (compound); no further mandatory sandhi.
FAQs
It internalizes sacred geography by mapping tīrthas onto the human body, implying that holiness is not only external (pilgrimage sites) but also present within one’s own embodied existence.
By presenting the body as a sacred field permeated by divine realities (Gaṅgā, sages, moral regulators), it supports devotional reverence and purity in daily life, not only through travel but through inward sanctification and remembrance.
The verse suggests vigilance in conduct: the body is a consecrated space, and Yama’s presence “behind” symbolizes accountability for actions, encouraging restraint, cleanliness, and dharmic living.