Shloka 171
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
यत्तु बाल्यकृतं पापं यौवने वार्धके कृतम् । वाचाकृतं कर्मकृतं मनसा यत्प्रचिंतितं
yattu bālyakṛtaṃ pāpaṃ yauvane vārdhake kṛtam | vācākṛtaṃ karmakṛtaṃ manasā yatpraciṃtitaṃ
บาปใดที่กระทำในวัยเด็ก ในวัยหนุ่มสาว หรือในวัยชรา—จะเป็นบาปที่ทำด้วยวาจา ด้วยการกระทำ หรือแม้เพียงคิดไว้ในใจ—
Unspecified (verse is presented mid-context; likely within a narrated dialogue in Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa)
Concept: Accountability is total: pāpa can arise in childhood, youth, or old age, and through speech, action, or even thought; therefore purification must address mind, word, and deed.
Application: Daily tri-fold audit: review thoughts, words, and actions; practice restraint (saṃyama), truthful speech, and mental japa; when wrong is done, repair through apology, restitution, and dharmic charity.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A contemplative figure sits beside a small sacred fire, surrounded by three symbolic streams: a ribbon of spoken words, a trail of footprints for actions, and a faint cloud for thoughts. Behind him, three life-stages appear as translucent vignettes—childhood, youth, and old age—each offering a flower into the fire, signifying confession and the wish to be cleansed.","primary_figures":["penitent householder","symbolic personifications of childhood/youth/old age (as translucent forms)","agni (sacred fire, symbolic)"],"setting":"quiet hermitage edge with darbha grass, water pot, and a simple altar","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["ash white","smoldering amber","sage green","midnight blue","soft maroon"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central penitent before a small homa-kunda, gold leaf aura around the fire, three translucent life-stage panels behind like a triptych, ornate border with lotus motifs, rich reds and greens, symbolic ribbons for speech/action/thought rendered as decorative gold filigree.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: introspective hermitage scene with delicate facial expression, soft twilight wash, subtle symbolic motifs (word-ribbon, footprint-trail, thought-cloud), gentle hills and trees, refined linework and muted jewel tones.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized penitent and fire altar, three life-stage figures arranged symmetrically, flat pigments with strong reds/yellows/greens, expressive eyes conveying remorse, minimal background with ritual objects.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional symbolic composition with lotus borders, central fire as a mandala-like motif, three life-stage vignettes in circular medallions, deep blue ground with gold highlights, floral patterns suggesting purification."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["silence","soft crackle of fire","distant temple bell","night insects"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यत्तु → यत् + तु; यत्प्रचिंतितं → यत् + प्रचिन्तितम्.
FAQs
It teaches comprehensive moral accountability: wrongdoing is counted whether done in childhood, youth, or old age, and whether expressed through speech, physical action, or even mental intention.
It emphasizes that intention and inner contemplation are ethically significant in Purāṇic dharma; moral responsibility is not limited to outward acts alone.
It frames pāpa as arising through multiple channels—thought, word, and deed—across one’s whole lifespan, aligning with the broader karmic principle that all intentional conduct bears consequences.