Shloka 20
Mohinī-ākhyāna: The Trial of Ekādaśī and the King’s Satya-saṅkalpa
भवद्भिर्नोचितं वक्तुं प्रतिकूलं व्रतापहम् । असंपरीक्ष्य ये दद्युः प्रायश्चित्तं द्विजातयः ॥ २० ॥
bhavadbhirnocitaṃ vaktuṃ pratikūlaṃ vratāpaham | asaṃparīkṣya ye dadyuḥ prāyaścittaṃ dvijātayaḥ || 20 ||
Es ziemt euch nicht, etwas zu sagen, das dem Dharma zuwider ist und die heiligen Gelübde zerstört. Die Zweifachgeborenen, die Sühne verordnen, ohne den Fall zuvor zu prüfen, handeln verkehrt.
Narada (in dialogue on dharma/prāyaścitta principles)
Vrata: none (talks about vows generally: vrata-apaha = vow-destroying)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It teaches that dharma must be applied with discernment: penance should heal a fault, not become a new harm that breaks one’s vow and spiritual discipline.
By protecting vows and disciplined practice, it safeguards the devotee’s steady sādhana; careless prescriptions that disrupt vrata weaken consistent worship and remembrance.
It emphasizes dharma-vicāra (case-based examination) aligned with śāstra and ritual procedure—an applied discipline closely tied to Kalpa (ritual method) and Smṛti-based adjudication.