Shloka 145
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
वद तत्सर्वलोकेश यथा जानामि तत्वतः । ब्रह्मोवाच । सकृत्प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा गोधनं चाभिवंदयेत्
vada tatsarvalokeśa yathā jānāmi tatvataḥ | brahmovāca | sakṛtpradakṣiṇaṃ kṛtvā godhanaṃ cābhivaṃdayet
“ข้าแต่พระผู้เป็นเจ้าแห่งโลกทั้งปวง โปรดตรัสบอกเถิด เพื่อข้าพเจ้าจะรู้ตามความจริง” พระพรหมตรัสว่า “เมื่อเวียนประทักษิณหนึ่งรอบแล้ว พึงนอบน้อมบูชาฝูงโคด้วย”
Brahmā (explicit: brahmovāca); the initial address is by an unnamed inquirer to “Sarvalokeśa”
Concept: Circumambulation (pradakṣiṇā) and reverential salutation (abhivandana) to cows is a potent dharmic act when performed even once with sincerity.
Application: Practice daily reverence: if you cannot do elaborate worship, do one mindful pradakṣiṇā around a sacred object/being (cow, temple, Tulasi, deity) and offer a sincere bow, avoiding harm and cultivating gratitude.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: forest
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Brahmā’s instruction unfolds in a serene cow-enclosure: a devotee performs a single clockwise pradakṣiṇā around a calm herd, then bows with folded hands, forehead lowered in humility. Dust motes glow in the morning light as the cows stand like living altars, bells softly chiming.","primary_figures":["Brahmā (as teacher)","devotee","herd of cows"],"setting":"Goshala with thatched shelters, sacred fire-smoke faint in distance, garlands on cow necks, earthen lamps near feeding troughs","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["warm ochre","milk white","leaf green","vermillion","antique gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Brahmā seated on a lotus with four faces, instructing with a blessing gesture; foreground devotee in namaskāra completing a clockwise pradakṣiṇā around richly adorned cows; gold leaf halos, ornate jewelry, deep red and green textiles, stylized arch frame, gem-like highlights on cow ornaments.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: pastoral courtyard with gentle hills; delicate cows with fine linework and soft shading; devotee mid-step in pradakṣiṇā, hands folded; Brahmā as a small luminous figure above or to the side; cool palette with lyrical naturalism and refined expressions.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, patterned cow adornments, Brahmā with iconic facial features and lotus seat; flat fields of red/yellow/green; rhythmic composition emphasizing circular movement of pradakṣiṇā; ornamental borders with lotus and conch motifs.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: circular composition emphasizing pradakṣiṇā path; cows arranged like a mandala; lotus and floral borders, peacocks at corners; deep blue ground with gold highlights; subtle Vaishnava emblems integrated into textile-like patterning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["cow bells","soft conch in distance","morning birds","gentle footfalls on earth"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: tatsarvalokeśa → tat + sarvalokeśa; brahmovāca → brahmā + uvāca; sakṛtpradakṣiṇam → sakṛt + pradakṣiṇam; cābhivaṃdayet → ca + abhivaṃdayet.
FAQs
Brahmā prescribes performing a single pradakṣiṇā (clockwise circumambulation) and then offering respectful salutations (abhivandana) to godhana—cows regarded as sacred wealth.
“Godhana” literally means “cattle-wealth,” reflecting the traditional dharmic view that cows sustain life (milk, agrarian support) and are therefore worthy of protection and reverence.
It emphasizes humility and gratitude toward life-supporting beings and promotes non-harm, care, and reverence—core ethical values associated with dharma.