Shloka 8
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
नक्ताशी त्वष्टमीषु स्याद्वत्सरांते तु धेनुदः । पौरंदरं पुरं याति सुगतिव्रतमुच्यते
naktāśī tvaṣṭamīṣu syādvatsarāṃte tu dhenudaḥ | pauraṃdaraṃ puraṃ yāti sugativratamucyate
وليأكل المرء ليلًا فقط في أيام الأَشْتَمِي (اليوم القمري الثامن)، وعند تمام السنة فليتصدّق ببقرة؛ وبذلك يبلغ مدينة بورندرا (إندرا). ويُسمّى هذا النذر «سوغَتي-فراتا»، نذر المصير الحسن.
Not explicitly stated in the provided excerpt (contextual speaker not recoverable from single-verse input).
Concept: Regular observance on aṣṭamīs with controlled eating (nakta) and culminating go-dāna leads to ‘sugati’—a favorable destiny—depicted as ascent to Indra’s realm.
Application: Choose a periodic discipline (e.g., twice-monthly) that is sustainable; pair it with meaningful charity at milestones; keep a calendar-based spiritual rhythm.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On an aṣṭamī night, a votary eats a simple meal by lamplight after restraint, then offers a gentle cow adorned with a garland at the year’s end. Above, Amarāvatī gleams—crystal palaces and bannered towers—while Indra’s court appears as a distant promise of ‘sugati’.","primary_figures":["vrata-observer","a decorated cow (go-dāna)","Indra (Paurandara)","celestial attendants"],"setting":"village courtyard at night transitioning into a visionary sky-realm of Amarāvatī; lamps, offering tray, cow with cloth and bells","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["midnight blue","silver white","lamp-gold","cowhide cream","vermillion red"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: foreground go-dāna scene with the cow richly caparisoned; gold leaf on ornaments and lamp flames; upper register shows Indra in Amarāvatī with gilded architecture, jewel tones, and embossed halos; strong reds/greens with ornate borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: quiet moonlit courtyard with delicate shadows; cow rendered tenderly; a cloud-window reveals Amarāvatī in pale blues and silvers; refined figures and lyrical night atmosphere.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; stylized cow and votary; upper panel Indra seated with vajra; flat yet vibrant pigments; rhythmic decorative motifs around the scene.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central cow motif framed by floral borders; night-sky deep blue with gold stars; Amarāvatī depicted as a symmetrical palace mandala above; intricate patterns and devotional ornamentation."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["night insects","soft bell","cow bells","distant conch"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्वष्टमीषु = तु + अष्टमीषु; स्याद्वत्सरान्ते = स्यात् + वत्सरान्ते; सुगतिव्रतमुच्यते = सुगतिव्रतम् + उच्यते.
FAQs
It is an observance of eating only at night on Aṣṭamī (the 8th lunar day) and, at the end of a year, donating a cow; its stated fruit is reaching Indra’s abode (Paurandara’s city).
Paurandara is Indra (slayer of Pura/Pauraṇdara as an epithet). ‘Paurandara’s city’ refers to Indra’s heavenly realm (Indraloka/Svarga).
It emphasizes disciplined restraint (niyama) through regulated eating and generosity (dāna) through cow-gift, presenting them as means to auspicious posthumous attainment.