Shloka 122
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
यथा विप्रस्तथा गौश्च द्वयोः पूजाफलं समम् । विचारे ब्राह्मणो मुख्यो नृणां गावः पशौ तथा
yathā viprastathā gauśca dvayoḥ pūjāphalaṃ samam | vicāre brāhmaṇo mukhyo nṛṇāṃ gāvaḥ paśau tathā
ดังที่พราหมณ์เป็นผู้ควรสักการะ โคก็เป็นผู้ควรสักการะเช่นกัน ผลแห่งการบูชาทั้งสองเสมอกัน แต่เมื่อพิจารณาแล้ว ในหมู่มนุษย์พราหมณ์เป็นประธาน และในหมู่สัตว์โคเป็นประธาน
Unspecified (context not provided in input; likely narrator within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa discourse)
Concept: Worship of the brāhmaṇa and the cow yields equal fruit; each is foremost in its domain, forming pillars of social and ritual order.
Application: Honor learning and ethical guidance (support teachers, preserve śāstra) and practice compassion toward animals (especially cows); avoid false equivalence that erases functional roles while maintaining equal reverence.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A balanced tableau: on one side a serene brāhmaṇa with palm-leaf manuscripts and a water-pot; on the other a gentle cow adorned with a simple garland. Above them, a symbolic scale glows evenly, indicating equal fruit of worship, while subtle inscriptions mark ‘human foremost’ and ‘animal foremost’.","primary_figures":["a brāhmaṇa scholar","a cow (gauḥ)","a symbolic dharma-scale (iconic element)"],"setting":"courtyard of a hermitage with a small altar, sacred fire in the background, trees and a calm path","lighting_mood":"soft daylight with tranquil clarity","color_palette":["sandalwood beige","saffron","leaf green","pearl white","copper"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: symmetrical composition with brāhmaṇa and cow facing forward, gold leaf scale motif above, ornate halos, rich reds/greens, gem-like detailing on manuscripts and cow ornaments; devotional iconography emphasizing go-brāhmaṇa reverence.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined hermitage scene, delicate lines, gentle expressions, balanced spacing; cool greens and soft earth tones, lyrical harmony conveying śānta rasa.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal iconic brāhmaṇa and cow with bold outlines, symbolic scale and dharma motifs, red/yellow/green pigments; temple-wall gravitas and didactic clarity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: cow as central sacred motif with floral borders, brāhmaṇa placed in a medallion opposite, lotus and vine patterns; deep blue background with gold accents, devotional symmetry and ornamental richness."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["rustling leaves","soft bell","low chant drone","fire crackle (distant)","measured silence between clauses"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विप्रस्तथा = विप्रः + तथा; गौश्च = गौः + च; पूजाफलं = पूजा + फलम् (समास); स्वर्गं etc. not present; no further sandhi beyond visarga changes.
FAQs
It teaches that worship offered to a Brahmin and to a cow yields equal spiritual merit, while also stating a hierarchy: the Brahmin is foremost among humans and the cow among animals.
It affirms equality in the fruit of worship (pūjā-phala) for both, but also recognizes functional precedence in their respective categories: Brahmin among humans, cow among animals.
The verse promotes reverence, protection, and service toward key bearers of dharma in society—respect for learned, responsible human guides and compassionate care for cows as a valued, vulnerable animal.