Shloka 36
Rules of Edible and Inedible Foods
गोधा कूर्मः शशः खड्गः सल्लकश्चेति सत्तमाः । भक्ष्यान्पंचनखान्नित्यं मनुराह प्रजापतिः
godhā kūrmaḥ śaśaḥ khaḍgaḥ sallakaśceti sattamāḥ | bhakṣyānpaṃcanakhānnityaṃ manurāha prajāpatiḥ
گوہ، کچھوا، خرگوش، گینڈا اور ساہی—اے بہترین انسانو! پنج ناخن والے جانوروں میں یہ ہمیشہ کھانے کے لائق ہیں؛ یوں پرجاپتی منو نے فرمایا۔
Narrator citing Manu (Prajāpati) as authority
Concept: Dharma is anchored in śāstra-pramāṇa: even permissions (what may be eaten) are regulated by authoritative tradition.
Application: When uncertain about religious practice, consult reliable śāstra/ācārya guidance rather than impulse; keep personal rules consistent and transparent.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A dignified scene of Manu as Prajāpati seated on a high seat of kusa grass, holding a manuscript and rosary, while sages record his pronouncement. Nearby, symbolic depictions of the five ‘pañca-nakha’ animals appear as stylized emblems, arranged like a didactic chart rather than a hunting scene.","primary_figures":["Manu (Prajāpati)","attendant sages","scribes"],"setting":"a Vedic assembly hall (sabhā) within an āśrama; kusa mats, yajña implements, palm-leaf manuscripts","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["ivory","saffron","copper","forest green","lapis blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Manu-Prajāpati enthroned on a kusa pīṭha with gold leaf halo, holding palm-leaf śāstra; sages with folded hands; decorative chart-like medallions showing iguana, tortoise, hare, rhinoceros, porcupine; rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry, gold embossing and temple-lamp glow.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined court-of-sages scene with delicate linework; Manu speaks while scribes write; the five animals appear in small labeled cartouches along the border; cool palette with gentle shading and lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal Manu figure with bold outlines and large eyes; symmetrical arrangement of sages; animal emblems in circular frames; earthy reds and yellows with green accents, temple-wall composition.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central seated lawgiver framed by lotus borders; five animal medallions arranged like a garland around him; deep blue background with gold highlights, intricate floral filigree and devotional ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["page rustle of palm leaves","soft drum (mridang) pulse","sacrificial fire crackle","assembly murmur fading to silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सल्लकश्चेति = सल्लकः + च + इति; भक्ष्यान्पञ्चनखान् = भक्ष्यान् + पञ्चनखान्; खड्गः (अर्थे) गण्डकः; मनुराह = मनुः + आह।
FAQs
It presents a dharma-based dietary rule: among animals classified as “five-clawed,” certain ones are explicitly stated as permissible to eat, citing Manu as authoritative.
Manu is a primordial lawgiver associated with establishing dharma and social norms. He is called Prajāpati because he is regarded as a progenitor and regulator of human and cosmic order.
Within Purāṇic and Smṛti-style literature, such statements function as rule-based guidance tied to varṇa-āśrama and ritual contexts. Traditions may interpret or apply them differently depending on region, sect, and later ethical frameworks.