Shloka 87
Kāṣṭhīlā-Ākhyāna: Ratnāvalī’s Return, Co-wife Dharma, and the Phālguna Propitiation
प्रयाति नारी बहुभिः सुपुण्यैः सहैव भर्त्रा स्वशरीरदाहात् । विष्णोः पदं वित्तशरीरलुब्धा प्रयाति यामीं च कुयोनिपीडाम् ॥ ८७ ॥
prayāti nārī bahubhiḥ supuṇyaiḥ sahaiva bhartrā svaśarīradāhāt | viṣṇoḥ padaṃ vittaśarīralubdhā prayāti yāmīṃ ca kuyonipīḍām || 87 ||
বহু সৎপুণ্যে ভূষিতা নারী নিজের দেহদাহের দ্বারা স্বামীর সঙ্গে প্রস্থান করে বিষ্ণুর পদ লাভ করে। কিন্তু যে ধন ও দেহসুখে লোভী, সে যমলোক গমন করে এবং কুয়োনির যন্ত্রণা ভোগ করে।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It contrasts two destinies: merit aligned with dharma leads toward Viṣṇu’s abode, while greed-driven attachment to wealth and bodily pleasure leads to Yama’s domain and painful lower rebirth, emphasizing inner motive as the decisive factor in karma.
By presenting “Viṣṇu’s padam” as the highest outcome, the verse frames liberation as proximity to Viṣṇu attained through virtuous, dharma-aligned life; it warns that bhakti is undermined when one’s heart is dominated by vitta (wealth) and śarīra-lobha (sensual attachment).
No specific Vedāṅga technicality is taught directly; the practical takeaway is dharma-nīti (ethical discipline) guiding ritual and daily conduct—performing duties with right intention rather than greed, which aligns with smārta-ācāra supported by Kalpa (ritual/duty frameworks).