Shloka 83
Pitṛ-tīrtha Context: Marks of Sin, Śrāddha Discipline, and Karmic Ripening
in Yayāti’s Narrative
ये चापि क्षयरोगार्तां गां पिपासा क्षुधातुराम् । न पालयंति यत्नेन ते गोघ्ना नारकाः स्मृताः
ye cāpi kṣayarogārtāṃ gāṃ pipāsā kṣudhāturām | na pālayaṃti yatnena te goghnā nārakāḥ smṛtāḥ
และผู้ใดแม้เห็นโคผู้ทุกข์ทรมานด้วยโรคซูบผอม กระหายน้ำและหิวโหย ก็ยังไม่ปกป้องดูแลด้วยความเพียร—ผู้นั้นถูกนับว่าเป็น ‘ผู้ฆ่าโค’ และเป็นผู้มุ่งสู่นรก
Unspecified (narratorial/teachings context within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa)
Concept: Neglecting a suffering cow is tantamount to killing; dharma includes active protection of the vulnerable.
Application: Support animal care, provide water/fodder, avoid industries that harm cattle, and respond promptly to suffering beings rather than remaining a passive bystander.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A frail cow, ribs visible, stands near a dry trough, tongue parched, eyes pleading; a compassionate caretaker rushes with a pot of water and bundles of grass. In the shadowed background, an indifferent figure turns away, while a subtle divine aura suggests that neglect is witnessed by dharma itself.","primary_figures":["suffering cow (go)","caretaker/devotee","indifferent bystander (symbolic)"],"setting":"village pasture edge with a broken fence, dry earth, simple cowshed and trough","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["dusty beige","earth brown","pale ivory","tender green","sunrise gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central sacred cow with gentle gold-leaf accents around the head (subtle halo), caretaker offering water in a brass pot, ornate border with floral motifs; rich reds and greens in garments, gold highlights on vessels, conveying reverence for go-sevā as worship.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: poignant pastoral scene with delicate shading—thin cow near a trough, caretaker approaching with water and fodder; soft dawn sky, Himalayan-like distant hills optional; expressive eyes and restrained palette to evoke compassion.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized cow with large expressive eyes, caretaker in bold reds/yellows, strong outlines; symbolic dharma presence hinted by a faint chakra-like motif in the sky; temple-wall composition emphasizing moral clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: pastoral devotional frame with lotus and creeper borders; include subtle Govinda symbolism—peacock feather motif and a small śaṅkha-cakra emblem—while the main focus is the act of offering water to the cow; deep blues and gold detailing to sacralize the scene."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["low temple bell","cow’s soft lowing","water pouring","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चापि = च + अपि. क्षयरोगार्ताम् = क्षयरोग + आर्ताम्. क्षुधातुराम् = क्षुधा + आतुराम्.
FAQs
It teaches that actively protecting and caring for a suffering cow—especially when sick, hungry, or thirsty—is a moral obligation; neglect is treated as a grave wrong.
Because refusing care when one has the capacity to protect is framed as causing harm through omission; the outcome for the animal can be death or severe suffering, so the neglect is morally comparable to direct violence.
If an animal is vulnerable and in distress, one should provide help—food, water, shelter, and treatment—rather than ignoring it; compassion must be expressed through concrete effort (yatna).