Shloka 179
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
यत्र कामफला वृक्षा नद्यः पायसकर्दमाः । प्रासादाश्चापि सौवर्णास्तत्र गच्छंति गोप्रदाः
yatra kāmaphalā vṛkṣā nadyaḥ pāyasakardamāḥ | prāsādāścāpi sauvarṇāstatra gacchaṃti gopradāḥ
ยังแดนที่ต้นไม้ให้ผลสมปรารถนาทุกประการ ที่ซึ่งสายน้ำไหลเป็นข้าวกวนในน้ำนม (ปายาสะ) และมีโคลนเป็นน้ำนมหวาน ที่ซึ่งปราสาททั้งหลายก็เป็นทองคำ—ผู้ถวายโคเป็นทานย่อมไปถึงที่นั่น
Unspecified in the provided excerpt (context-dependent narration within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa).
Concept: Go-dāna leads to exalted post-mortem enjoyment in a divine realm of abundance.
Application: Practice charity with reverence—especially supporting cows, food security, and dharmic livelihoods—without cruelty or exploitation.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A radiant celestial landscape where wish-fulfilling trees bend under every fruit, and broad rivers flow like creamy kṣīra and sweet pāyasa. Golden palaces rise on lotus-like terraces as humble donors of cows arrive, hands folded, welcomed by luminous attendants.","primary_figures":["Go-dātā (cow-donor) devotees","celestial attendants (apsaras/gandharvas as generic divinities)","symbolic cows"],"setting":"Viṣṇuloka-like heaven with kalpavṛkṣas, milk-and-rice rivers, and gold palatial architecture","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["gold leaf","lotus pink","sapphire blue","ivory white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a celestial Viṣṇuloka vista with kalpavṛkṣa trees heavy with fruits, rivers rendered as flowing pāyasa and kṣīra with pearly highlights, towering golden prāsādas with ornate gopura-like tiers, cow-donor devotees in añjali entering the scene; heavy gold leaf embellishment on palaces and halos, rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments, traditional South Indian iconographic detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical heaven-garden with delicate kalpavṛkṣas, pale milky rivers with soft ripples, slender golden palaces on terraced hills, donors in simple garments contrasted against refined celestial attendants; cool mountain palette, fine brushwork, gentle facial features, airy perspective and floral borders.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlined celestial court-garden with stylized trees and flowing white rivers of milk-pudding, golden palace forms simplified into rhythmic geometry, donors and attendants with characteristic large eyes and ornate jewelry; natural pigment reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall aesthetic, symmetrical composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: opulent lotus-filled celestial garden with intricate floral borders, deep blue ground, golden palaces and white pāyasa-river bands, cows prominently centered as auspicious motif, peacocks and lotuses interwoven; Nathdwara-inspired ornamentation, dense patterning, gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","celestial chimes","gentle flowing water"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: प्रासादाश्चापि = प्रासादाः + च + अपि; सौवर्णास्तत्र = सौवर्णाः + तत्र; गच्छंति = गच्छन्ति (अनुस्वार-लिपि).
FAQs
It states that cow-donors attain a realm described as extraordinarily abundant—trees granting desired fruits, rivers of sweet food, and golden palaces—symbolizing the exalted fruit of charity.
Purāṇic phala-śruti often uses vivid, hyperbolic imagery to communicate the spiritual merit and auspicious results of dharmic acts; many traditions read this as a symbolic portrayal of heavenly prosperity and divine favor.
It highlights dāna (generosity), specifically go-dāna, as a powerful dharmic act whose fruits are portrayed as immense—encouraging selfless giving and support of life-sustaining resources.