Shloka 6
Pitṛ-tīrtha Context: Marks of Sin, Śrāddha Discipline, and Karmic Ripening
in Yayāti’s Narrative
कुलाचारं परित्यज्य अन्याचारं व्रजंति च । एतच्च पातकं घोरं कथितं कृत्यवेदिभिः
kulācāraṃ parityajya anyācāraṃ vrajaṃti ca | etacca pātakaṃ ghoraṃ kathitaṃ kṛtyavedibhiḥ
เมื่อทอดทิ้งกุลาาจาระ คือจารีตแห่งวงศ์ตระกูล แล้วไปยึดถือจารีตอื่นอันไม่สมควร บรรดาผู้รู้กิจอันชอบธรรมได้ประกาศว่านี่เป็นบาปอันน่ากลัว
Unspecified (narrative instruction within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Forsaking kula-ācāra (established righteous family/lineage conduct) for improper practices is a ghora-pātaka, as declared by kṛtya-vedins (knowers of right action).
Application: Preserve wholesome family disciplines (truthfulness, hospitality, daily worship, restraint) while discerning and rejecting harmful ‘new’ habits; reform should be dharmic, not merely fashionable.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A village courtyard scene contrasts two paths: elders perform simple daily rites—lamp, water offering, respectful greetings—while a younger group turns away toward chaotic, discordant activities symbolizing ‘anya-ācāra’. Above, a subtle balance-scale motif shows dharma tipping when kula-ācāra is abandoned, yet a calm horizon suggests restoration through right conduct.","primary_figures":["village elders (symbolic)","younger householders","a dharma-teacher/narrator figure (optional)"],"setting":"Earthly household courtyard with a small shrine niche, tulasi platform implied but not central, and community space","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["clay terracotta","mustard gold","indigo shadow","white limewash","banyan green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: domestic shrine with gold leaf lamp flame, elders in traditional attire performing ācamana and namaskāra; younger figures at the edge drawn toward disorder; ornate border, rich reds/greens, embossed gold scale motif indicating dharma balance.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle rural courtyard with banyan tree, delicate architecture, elders teaching by example; younger group drifting away; soft dawn light, cool shadows, refined faces, lyrical naturalism emphasizing moral choice.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized household shrine and figures in profile; strong ochre/red/green palette, symbolic dharma-scale above, clear narrative separation of sadācāra vs anya-ācāra.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative border with floral motifs; central panel shows household worship and respectful conduct; side panels show deviation into discord; deep blue background with gold accents, symmetrical storytelling layout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["morning birds","soft bell from household shrine","distant village ambience","gentle drum pulse"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: व्रजंति→व्रजन्ति; एतच्च = एतत् + च
FAQs
It teaches that abandoning one’s prescribed, tradition-grounded code of conduct (kulācāra) and adopting alien or improper practices is considered a serious moral fault (pātaka).
Not necessarily; the wording targets a shift away from dharma-guided, duty-informed conduct into “other” practices understood as improper. Traditional commentators often read such lines as warning against adharma rather than any reform per se.
Maintain integrity in one’s ethical commitments and responsibilities; do not abandon principled conduct for convenient or harmful alternatives, especially when they contradict well-understood standards of right action.