Shloka 169
The Five Great Sacrifices: Supremacy of Honoring Parents, Pativrata Dharma, Truthfulness, and Śrāddha
किंतु ते पितरौ पूजामाप्नुतो न त्वयानघ । पूजयित्वा तु पितरौ पश्चाद्यास्यसि मत्तनुम्
kiṃtu te pitarau pūjāmāpnuto na tvayānagha | pūjayitvā tu pitarau paścādyāsyasi mattanum
แต่ดูก่อนผู้ปราศจากมลทิน บิดามารดาของเจ้ายังมิได้รับการบูชาจากเจ้า เมื่อบูชาบิดามารดาแล้ว ภายหลังเจ้าจักมาสู่เบื้องหน้าของเรา (บรรลุเรา)
Unspecified (contextual speaker not provided in the input excerpt)
Concept: Even with high devotion and promised attainment, one must fulfill pitṛ-sevā—worship/service to parents—before final spiritual consummation.
Application: Treat care for parents/elders as sacred service; reconcile spiritual aspiration with responsibilities—complete duties without pride, then deepen sādhana.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The Lord’s radiant promise pauses with a gentle corrective: the devotee turns from the celestial vista back toward a humble home where aged parents sit. The scene balances two altars—one cosmic, one domestic—showing that the path to the Lord passes through gratitude and service. The devotee bows to the parents, and the Lord’s light quietly sanctifies the household.","primary_figures":["Viṣṇu (as guiding Lord)","devotee (anagha)","mother and father (pitṛ-mātṛ)"],"setting":"A domestic courtyard with a small household shrine; in the sky/behind, a faint glimpse of Vaikuṇṭha indicating the promised destination after duty.","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["warm ochre","indigo blue","soft gold","earth brown","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Viṣṇu at one side with gold-leaf halo, gesturing instructively; devotee in the center bowing to seated parents; domestic setting with ornate yet warm details—brass lamps, threshold kolam patterns; rich reds/greens with gold embellishment emphasizing sanctity of filial worship.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: tender household scene—parents seated on a simple cot, devotee touching their feet; a small shrine in the corner; distant luminous cloud-palace hinting at Vaikuṇṭha; delicate brushwork, gentle earth tones, lyrical intimacy.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized parents seated, devotee prostrating; Viṣṇu in the background as a protective presence; bold outlines, temple-wall composition, warm reds/yellows/greens with deep blue deity figure.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: symmetrical composition with two focal motifs—household lamp and lotus-throne of Viṣṇu; devotee centered performing pāda-sevā to parents; ornate floral borders, deep blue and gold accents, intricate domestic patterns (rangoli, textiles)."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft household ambience","temple bell (single strikes)","tanpura drone","gentle wind"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूजामाप्नुतो = पूजाम् + आप्नुतः; त्वयानघ = त्वया + अनघ; पश्चाद्यास्यसि = पश्चात् + यास्यसि; मत्तनुम् = मत् + तनुम् (षष्ठी-सम्बन्धार्थ).
FAQs
It teaches that reverential service to one’s parents is a prerequisite duty; spiritual progress is presented as incomplete if mother and father are neglected.
It frames devotion and “coming to me” (attaining the divine or the speaker’s presence) as something that should follow foundational dharma—specifically, honoring and worshipping one’s parents.
“Pitarau” is dual in Sanskrit, explicitly indicating both parents together—father and mother—as jointly deserving worship and reverence.