Shloka 10
The Greatness of Śrī Rādhāṣṭamī
Rādhā’s Birth-Eighth Observance
सकृद्राधाष्टमीं कृत्वा तस्माच्छतगुणाधिकम् । कन्यादानसहस्रेण यत्पुण्यं प्राप्यते जनैः
sakṛdrādhāṣṭamīṃ kṛtvā tasmācchataguṇādhikam | kanyādānasahasreṇa yatpuṇyaṃ prāpyate janaiḥ
একবার মাত্র রাধাষ্টমী ব্রত পালন করলে শতগুণ অধিক পুণ্য লাভ হয়। সহস্র কন্যাদান করলে যে পুণ্য মানুষ পায়, তার থেকেও অধিক ফল প্রাপ্ত হয়।
Unspecified (narrative voice within Brahma-khaṇḍa; exact dialogue speaker not provided in the input excerpt)
Concept: A single observance of Rādhāṣṭamī surpasses even enormous accumulations of conventional merit through repeated dāna.
Application: Do not postpone devotion waiting for wealth or grand rituals; keep one vrata with sincerity, purity, and remembrance of Radha-Krishna.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A symbolic tableau shows a humble devotee with folded hands observing Rādhāṣṭamī before a small altar, while in the background a long procession of elaborate kanyā-dāna ceremonies fades into the distance—yet a beam of divine light falls only upon the simple vrata. Above, celestial scribes record merit, their palm-leaf ledgers glowing brighter for the single observance.","primary_figures":["Devotee observing vrata","Radha-Krishna (altar icons)","Celestial scribes (citragupta-like attendants)","Brahmanas witnessing dāna (background)"],"setting":"Temple veranda with a small shrine; distant ceremonial pavilion for dāna scenes","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["vermillion red","sandalwood beige","peacock blue","marigold gold","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central small Radha-Krishna altar with gold leaf halo, devotee in añjali-mudrā; background vignette of repeated kanyā-dāna scenes rendered as miniature panels; lavish gold leaf, rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry, temple pillars with carved motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate veranda scene with delicate lines, soft pastels; a single devotee fasting with a water pot and flower plate; distant pavilion shows many kanyā-dāna rituals in muted tones; luminous sky indicating higher merit for the simple vow.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized Radha-Krishna icons, devotee and attendant figures; background bands depict repeated dāna ceremonies; warm yellow-red-green palette with ornamental borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Krishna-centered shrine with lotus borders; the ‘thousand dānas’ suggested as repeating motifs around the border, while the center radiates brighter; peacocks and floral filigree, deep blues and gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft temple bells","distant conch","gentle hand cymbals"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सकृद्राधाष्टमीम् = सकृत् + राधाष्टमीम् (त् + र → द्र); तस्माच्छतगुणाधिकम् = तस्मात् + शतगुणाधिकम् (त् + श → च्छ).
FAQs
The verse praises observing Rādhāṣṭamī (a vrata/holy observance connected with Śrī Rādhā) even a single time.
It states that the merit from observing Rādhāṣṭamī once is a hundred times greater than the merit obtained from performing a thousand kanyā-dānas.
The verse emphasizes bhakti-centered observances—devotional worship and sacred vows—as exceptionally potent sources of puṇya, sometimes presented as surpassing large-scale charitable rites.