Shloka 73
Prohibitions and Rules of Right Conduct (Ācāra): Theft, Speech, Purity, Residence, and Social Boundaries
न चालनं पदा वापि न देवप्रतिमां स्पृशेत् । नाशुद्धोग्निं परिचरेन्न देवान्कीर्तयेदृषीन्
na cālanaṃ padā vāpi na devapratimāṃ spṛśet | nāśuddhogniṃ paricarenna devānkīrtayedṛṣīn
పాదంతో ఏదైనా నెట్టకూడదు; అశౌచస్థితిలో దేవప్రతిమను స్పర్శించకూడదు. అశుద్ధ అగ్నిని పరిచర్య చేయకూడదు; అపవిత్రుడై దేవులు, ఋషుల నామాలను కీర్తించకూడదు।
Unspecified (instructional/normative voice within the Svarga-khaṇḍa narrative)
Concept: Śauca (purity) and apacāra-avoidance are prerequisites for meaningful contact with the divine—body, speech, and action must be aligned before worship.
Application: Maintain basic cleanliness before pūjā; avoid casual foot-gestures toward sacred objects; keep a clean hearth/lamps; postpone mantra/namas-kīrtana when in a state of aśauca until purified.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Inside a quiet household shrine, a devotee pauses at the threshold, washing hands and feet before approaching a radiant deity image. A small sacred fire burns cleanly in a copper brazier, while a palm-leaf manuscript of ṛṣi-nāma-kīrtana rests unopened until purification is complete.","primary_figures":["a Vaishnava householder devotee","Vishnu/Narayana arcā-mūrti","Agni (as sacred fire presence)"],"setting":"lamp-lit shrine room with tulasi pot near the doorway, copper vessels, conch, bell, and a neatly tended fire altar","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["gold leaf","deep vermilion","sandalwood beige","emerald green","sapphire blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a Vaishnava devotee in clean white cloth stands respectfully before a Vishnu arcā-mūrti on a pedestal, hands folded; a small pure agni in a copper homa-kunda glows; ornate arch with gold leaf, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments on the deity, conch and bell in foreground, tulasi pot at the threshold, emphasizing reverence and ritual purity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate indoor shrine scene with delicate brushwork; a devotee washing hands at a small brass basin before approaching a serene Vishnu image; soft textiles, subtle incense curls, refined facial features; cool shadows and gentle highlights, lyrical stillness and restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments; Vishnu arcā-mūrti with large expressive eyes, lamp flames and agni rendered in stylized reds and yellows; devotee shown in respectful posture at a slight distance, emphasizing purity and non-contact until ready; temple-wall aesthetic with decorative borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Krishna/Vishnu shrine with intricate floral borders and lotus motifs; devotee at the doorway performing ācamana; deep blues and gold, hanging lamps, tulasi plant prominent; emphasis on devotional etiquette and sanctity of the image."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","crackling sacred fire","incense hush","silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वापि = वा + अपि; नाशुद्धोग्निं = न + अशुद्धः + अग्निम्; परिचरेन्न = परिचरेत् + न; देवान्कीर्तयेदृषीन् = देवान् + कीर्तयेत् + ऋषीन्
FAQs
It instructs that one should not touch a deity’s image while in an improper or impure state, emphasizing reverence and ritual cleanliness (śauca) during worship.
The verse treats sacred fire-service as a purity-sensitive rite; one should not perform fire-related ritual service when the fire or the performer is considered ritually impure.
It reinforces respectful bodily conduct: using the foot to push or move things is framed as discourteous, especially in a sacred or disciplined religious setting.