Shloka 97
Right Conduct, Offenses Against Brāhmaṇas, Truthfulness, and the Greatness of the Cow
Go-Māhātmya
एवं मिथ्या न कर्त्तव्या मृषा पापप्रसूतिका । नास्ति सत्यात्परोधर्मो नानृतात्पातकं परम्
evaṃ mithyā na karttavyā mṛṣā pāpaprasūtikā | nāsti satyātparodharmo nānṛtātpātakaṃ param
پس جھوٹ نہیں بولنا چاہیے؛ جھوٹ گناہ کو جنم دیتا ہے۔ سچ سے بڑھ کر کوئی دھرم نہیں، اور جھوٹ سے بڑھ کر کوئی پاتک نہیں۔
Not specified in the provided excerpt (context needed to identify the dialogue pair).
Concept: Do not lie; falsehood generates sin. Truth is the highest dharma; untruth the greatest transgression.
Application: Practice truthful, non-manipulative speech; avoid ‘small lies’ that normalize deception; when truth may harm, speak with compassion and timing while refusing falsehood.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A serene sage writes the words ‘SATYAM’ on a palm-leaf manuscript while a faint shadow of a serpent (symbol of deceit) recoils and dissolves. Above, a luminous, unseen presence suggests Nārāyaṇa’s satya-saṅkalpa, bathing the scene in calm radiance.","primary_figures":["sage/ācārya","symbolic serpent of deceit (allegorical)","subtle divine presence of Nārāyaṇa (non-anthropomorphic glow)"],"setting":"quiet āśrama study space with palm-leaf manuscripts, ink pot, tulasi-like sacred plants in the periphery, and a small lamp","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["lotus pink","warm gold","sage green","cream white","midnight blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central sage inscribing ‘satya’ on palm leaves, gold leaf aura filling the background as a symbol of Nārāyaṇa’s presence; ornate lamp and manuscript stand, rich reds/greens, embossed gold borders, jewel-toned highlights.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate āśrama interior with delicate brushwork—sage, manuscripts, a dissolving shadow-serpent; cool blues and creams, refined facial serenity, gentle natural elements outside the window.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines—sage seated with manuscript, stylized serpent motif retreating; radiant circular mandala behind indicating divine truth, red/yellow/green palette with black contours.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: allegorical ‘satya’ theme framed by lotus borders; deep blue ground with gold script-like motifs, peacocks and floral vines, subtle conch/chakra emblems indicating Viṣṇu’s dharma."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["silence","soft tanpura drone","temple lamp flicker","distant birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: नास्ति = न + अस्ति; सत्यात्परोधर्मो = सत्यात् + परः + धर्मः; नानृतात्पातकं = न + अनृतात् + पातकम्.
FAQs
It teaches that truth (satya) is the highest dharma, while falsehood (anṛta/mṛṣā) is the greatest sin because it generates further wrongdoing.
In this shloka, the focus is ethical instruction rather than a creation narrative; it presents a universal dharmic rule emphasized within the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context.
It advises avoiding deliberate deception in speech and action, treating truthfulness as a primary moral obligation and recognizing lying as a root cause of further moral decline.