Kāṣṭhīlā-Ākhyāna: Ratnāvalī’s Return, Co-wife Dharma, and the Phālguna Propitiation
तव वाक्ये स्थिता ह्येषा सदैवापि भविष्यति । एतच्छ्रुत्त्वा तु वचनं सुद्युम्नस्य निशाचरी ॥ ३७ ॥
tava vākye sthitā hyeṣā sadaivāpi bhaviṣyati | etacchruttvā tu vacanaṃ sudyumnasya niśācarī || 37 ||
«إنها قائمةٌ على كلمتكِ، وستبقى كذلك أبد الدهر.» فلما سمعت النِّساجَرِي—المرأة السائرة في الليل—هذا القول، وهو كلامُ سُديُمنَ، أجابت بما يليق.
Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing Sudyumna’s words and the niśācarī’s reaction)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
It highlights the purāṇic theme that a righteous and authoritative “vākya” (spoken word/command) has enduring force—once accepted and established, it remains effective and shapes outcomes within the narrative.
Direct bhakti instruction is not explicit here; however, the verse supports a bhakti-aligned ethic: honoring truthful, dharmic speech and rightful authority—qualities repeatedly upheld in Narada Purana’s devotional culture centered on integrity and reverence.
Vyākaraṇa/semantic precision is implicit: the verse turns on “vākya” (authoritative utterance) and its binding nature, reflecting how correct formulation and meaning in speech is treated as consequential in dharmic literature.