Shloka 157
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
गोमुखे चाश्रिता वेदाः सषडंगपदक्रमाः । शृंगयोश्च स्थितौ नित्यं सहैव हरिकेशवौ
gomukhe cāśritā vedāḥ saṣaḍaṃgapadakramāḥ | śṛṃgayośca sthitau nityaṃ sahaiva harikeśavau
ในปากของโคมีพระเวทสถิตอยู่ พร้อมด้วยเวทางคะทั้งหกและลำดับถ้อยคำอันเป็นระเบียบ; และบนเขาทั้งสองนั้น พระหริและพระเกศวะทรงประทับยืนร่วมกันเป็นนิตย์.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Concept: The cow is a living locus of śruti: Vedas and Vedāṅgas abide in her, and Hari-Keśava are mystically stationed upon her horns—hence reverence is reverence to dharma itself.
Application: Treat sacred supports of dharma (teachers, texts, animals, resources used in worship) with care; avoid casual disrespect and cultivate mindful gratitude for what sustains spiritual life.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A visionary close-up of a luminous cow whose mouth radiates the Vedas as glowing palm-leaf-like light-forms, while tiny script-like patterns swirl as the Vedāṅgas. On her twin horns stand Hari and Keśava as miniature yet radiant forms, steady and protective, turning the animal into a cosmic altar.","primary_figures":["a sacred cow (surabhi-like)","Hari","Keśava","Vedic light-forms (personified śruti)"],"setting":"mythic pastoral space with subtle mandala sky; faint yajña altar motifs in the ground","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["ivory white","radiant gold","deep indigo","emerald green","vermillion accents"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central sacred cow with ornate gold leaf embellishments, Vedic syllables as luminous motifs emerging from the mouth, Hari and Keśava standing on the horns with conch and discus, heavy gold halos, rich crimson and green background, intricate temple-style borders and gem-like ornamentation.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined pastoral scene with a glowing cow, delicate depiction of tiny Hari and Keśava on the horns, subtle calligraphic Vedic motifs floating like fireflies, cool blues and greens, lyrical naturalism and gentle awe.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized cow with patterned body, Hari and Keśava on horns with characteristic large eyes, Vedic motifs as decorative bands near the mouth, warm red/yellow/green pigments, mural framing with floral scrollwork.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: cow centered amid lotus and creeper motifs, deep blue ground with gold highlights, Hari and Keśava on horns, Vedic syllables rendered as ornamental patterns, peacocks and cows in border panels, Nathdwara-like intricacy and devotional symmetry."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","low drone (tanpura)","soft cowbell shimmer","wind-like hush during ‘Veda’ imagery"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: गोमुखे = गो + मुखे (समास); चाश्रिता = च + आश्रिताः; सषडंगपदक्रमाः = स + षडङ्ग + पद + क्रमाः (समास); शृंगयोश्च = शृङ्गयोः + च; सहैव = सह + एव; हरिकेशवौ = हरि + केशवौ (द्वन्द्व)
FAQs
It presents the Vedas as inherently supported by their six Vedāṅgas and by disciplined recitation/arrangement (pada-krama), emphasizing completeness and correct transmission of sacred knowledge.
The imagery links Viṣṇu (Hari/Keśava) with protection and guardianship, portraying divine presence as stabilizing and sanctifying the symbol (the cow) that upholds dharma and Vedic tradition.
It suggests reverence for Vedic learning (studied with proper auxiliaries and method) alongside devotion to Viṣṇu, implying that knowledge and bhakti are meant to coexist rather than compete.