Shloka 194
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
सकृच्च श्रावयेद्यस्तु कथां पुण्यतमामिमां । सर्वपापक्षयस्तस्य देवैश्च सह मोदते
sakṛcca śrāvayedyastu kathāṃ puṇyatamāmimāṃ | sarvapāpakṣayastasya devaiśca saha modate
แต่ผู้ใดทำให้เรื่องราวอันเป็นบุญยิ่งนี้ได้ถูกรับฟังแม้เพียงครั้งเดียว บาปทั้งปวงของผู้นั้นย่อมสิ้นไป และย่อมปีติยินดีร่วมกับเหล่าเทวะ
Not specified in the provided excerpt (context-dependent within Adhyaya 48 narration).
Concept: Śravaṇa (hearing) of supremely holy kathā destroys sin and grants divine joy.
Application: Keep a daily practice of listening/reading a small portion of Purāṇic kathā or Viṣṇu-stotra; share it (śrāvayet) with family/community as a merit-multiplier.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A small assembly sits in a lamp-lit mandapa as a sage recites a sacred kathā; the spoken words appear as luminous syllables rising like lotuses. Above, devas hover in subtle radiance, showering flowers as a dark mist of ‘pāpa’ dissolves from the listeners’ bodies into clear light.","primary_figures":["a Purāṇa-reciting ṛṣi","devotee listeners (gṛhasthas and brahmacārins)","celestial devas as witnesses"],"setting":"Temple mandapa with carved pillars, palm-leaf manuscripts, a low vyāsāsana seat, and a distant sanctum hinting at Viṣṇu’s presence.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["gold leaf","lamp-flame amber","lotus pink","deep indigo","sandalwood beige"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a vyāsāsana-seated sage reciting Purāṇa to attentive devotees in a South Indian mandapa, devas in the upper register showering flowers, sacred syllables rendered as glowing script, heavy gold leaf halos, rich crimson and emerald textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch framing a subtle Viṣṇu emblem in the sanctum.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate satsanga scene with delicate brushwork—sage reading from palm-leaf, listeners with refined expressions, soft night-blue background, oil lamps casting warm pools of light, devas as faint translucent figures in the sky, lyrical naturalism and fine textile patterns.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments—mandapa interior with lamp flames, sage in ochre and green garments, devas in the upper band, stylized lotus-syllables floating, characteristic large eyes and temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Krishna-centered satsanga motif—ornate floral borders, lotus clusters around glowing syllables, devotees seated in symmetrical rows, peacocks near the threshold, deep blue ground with gold highlights, a subtle Shrinathji-like presence implied in the sanctum."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft tanpura drone","conch shell (distant)","murmured responses of listeners","gentle night silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सकृच्च = सकृत् + च; श्रावयेद्यस्तु = श्रावयेत् + यः + तु; सर्वपापक्षयस्तस्य = सर्वपापक्षयः + तस्य; देवैश्च = देवैः + च.
FAQs
It praises śravaṇa (hearing) and śrāvaṇa (causing others to hear/reciting aloud) of a supremely holy kathā, stating that even a single hearing brings great spiritual merit.
The verse says that all sins (sarva-pāpa) are destroyed (kṣaya), and the listener/reciter rejoices in the company of the devas.
It encourages sharing sacred teachings—promoting devotion, moral purification, and the upliftment of others through recitation and attentive listening.