Shloka 20
Determination of Expiations for Sexual Transgressions and Improper Associations
जारेण जनयेद्गर्भं या च नारी कुलांतका । त्याज्या सा सर्वथा ब्रंह्मस्तत्र दोषो न विद्यते
jāreṇa janayedgarbhaṃ yā ca nārī kulāṃtakā | tyājyā sā sarvathā braṃhmastatra doṣo na vidyate
وہ عورت جو کسی غیر مرد سے حمل ٹھہرا لے اور اس طرح خاندان کی تباہی کا باعث بنے، اسے ہر طرح سے ترک کر دینا چاہیے؛ اے برہمن، اس میں کوئی گناہ نہیں ہے۔
Unspecified in provided excerpt (addressing a Brahmin: 'brahmaṃs')
Concept: The verse asserts strict social-ritual consequences for adultery that is seen as destroying kula (lineage) and dharma order.
Application: In a modern ethical reading: uphold fidelity and honesty; address betrayal with accountability and protection of dependents, while seeking non-violent, lawful resolutions rather than cruelty.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A courtroom-like sabhā scene in a traditional city hall: elders and a dharma-judge sit with palm-leaf law texts, while a household stands in tension. The imagery focuses on the gravity of betrayal and the fear of lineage rupture, with symbolic broken family-torch and scattered ritual grains.","primary_figures":["dharma-ācārya/judge","householder (gṛhastha)","elders of the sabhā"],"setting":"royal or civic sabhā with carved pillars, dharmaśāstra manuscripts, and a small Viṣṇu emblem above the seat","lighting_mood":"forest dappled","color_palette":["stone beige","vermilion red","indigo shadow","antique gold","smoke brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: sabhā with a central dharma-ācārya on a throne-like seat, gold leaf arch, richly patterned textiles; a Viṣṇu śaṅkha-cakra emblem above; symbolic motifs of broken lamp and scattered akṣata; intense reds and greens, ornate borders, gem-like highlights on jewelry and pillars.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined court assembly with delicate faces and restrained emotion; muted earth tones with crimson accents; a small Viṣṇu banner in the background; symbolic broken ritual lamp near the foreground; architectural details in fine brushwork, balanced composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal sabhā tableau with bold outlines; the judge-ācārya gesturing in admonition; stylized pillars and a small Viṣṇu icon; dominant reds/yellows/greens; patterned floor with ritual motifs, expressive eyes conveying severity.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: moral tableau framed by lotus borders; central sabhā vignette with a subtle Nathdwara-inspired Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa emblem; deep blue ground with gold floral filigree; peacocks at corners; symbolic scattered grains and broken lamp rendered decoratively."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Todi","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["gavel-like staff tap","murmuring assembly","temple bells","tense silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: जनयेद्गर्भं = जनयेत् + गर्भम्; ब्रंह्मस्तत्र = ब्रह्मन् + तत्र (पाठभेदे ‘ब्रह्मन्’).
FAQs
It presents a strict dharma-judgment: conceiving through an illicit relationship is treated as a grave breach that harms lineage and social order, and it declares abandonment of such a person as blameless within that framework.
'Brahmaṃs' is a vocative meaning “O Brahmin,” a respectful address to a learned person; the verse’s immediate speaker is not named in the excerpt.
As a reflection of historical dharma norms and social concerns (lineage, inheritance, social stability). Many readers interpret these as context-bound prescriptions rather than universally applicable ethical guidance.