Shloka 177
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
ईदृशीं कपिलां दद्याद्द्विजातौ वेदपारगे । सर्वपापक्षयस्तस्य विष्णुलोकेऽच्युतो भवेत्
īdṛśīṃ kapilāṃ dadyāddvijātau vedapārage | sarvapāpakṣayastasya viṣṇuloke'cyuto bhavet
ผู้ใดถวายโคกปิลาอันเป็นดังนี้แก่พราหมณ์ทวิชผู้เชี่ยวชาญพระเวท บาปทั้งปวงของผู้นั้นย่อมสิ้นไป และย่อมเป็นผู้ไม่เสื่อมสูญในโลกแห่งพระวิษณุ (อจยุตะ)
Not explicitly identifiable from the single verse excerpt (context needed from Adhyaya 48 dialogue frame).
Concept: Go-dāna to a worthy Veda-knowing brāhmaṇa destroys sins and leads to Viṣṇu’s realm—right recipient and right intention magnify the fruit.
Application: Practice discerning generosity: give to those who preserve knowledge and dharma; pair charity with humility and devotion rather than display.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee offers a tawny kapilā cow, garlanded and radiant, to a serene brāhmaṇa whose posture and gaze convey Vedic mastery. Above them, a translucent vision of Viṣṇuloka appears—Vishnu enthroned with Lakṣmī, a pathway of light rising from the act of charity, suggesting sins dissolving like smoke.","primary_figures":["Donor (gṛhastha devotee)","Veda-pāraga brāhmaṇa","Kapilā cow","Viṣṇu (Acyuta)","Lakṣmī"],"setting":"Ritual gifting space near a small altar; celestial vision opening in the sky with Vaikuṇṭha-like architecture and lotuses.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","gold leaf","tawny ochre","pearl white","sacred vermillion"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central go-dāna scene with donor and brāhmaṇa, kapilā cow richly ornamented; gold-leaf halos and Vaikuṇṭha vision above with Viṣṇu-Lakṣmī on a lotus throne; heavy gold embellishment, rich reds/greens, gem-studded jewelry, symmetrical temple arch framing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate charity scene with refined facial features; soft landscape and courtyard details; a delicate, cloud-like Vaikuṇṭha vision above in cool blues and pale gold; lyrical composition, fine linework, gentle shading.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic figures with bold outlines; Viṣṇu-Lakṣmī in a stylized upper register, donor and brāhmaṇa below; strong red/yellow/green palette with deep blue for Viṣṇu; temple-wall narrative panel feel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional tableau with ornate floral borders; kapilā cow and offering scene centered; upper field filled with lotus motifs and a Vaikuṇṭha vision in deep blues and gold; intricate patterns, symmetrical framing, Nathdwara-inspired ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","Vedic chant undertone","soft crowd hush"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दद्याद्द्विजातौ = दद्यात् + द्विजातौ; विष्णुलोकेऽच्युतो = विष्णुलोके + अच्युतः (ऽ = अ).
FAQs
It prescribes go-dāna—donating a kapilā (tawny) cow to a qualified twice-born recipient who is learned in the Vedas.
It states that the donor’s sins are destroyed and that the donor attains Viṣṇu’s realm, becoming secure (acyuta—“not falling away”).
The verse emphasizes meritorious giving (dāna) directed toward worthy recipients (Veda-learned dvija), linking generosity and discernment with spiritual purification.