Shloka 31
Mohinī-ākhyāna: The Trial of Ekādaśī and the King’s Satya-saṅkalpa
वैवस्वतो हर्षमुपाश्रयेच्च सलेखको मे व्रतभंग एव । किं तेन जातेन दुरात्मना हि ददाति हर्षं रिपुसुंदरीणाम् ॥ ३१ ॥
vaivasvato harṣamupāśrayecca salekhako me vratabhaṃga eva | kiṃ tena jātena durātmanā hi dadāti harṣaṃ ripusuṃdarīṇām || 31 ||
Sollte ich Freude bei Vaivasvata (Yama) suchen? Für mich wird nur der Bruch des Gelübdes, das Brechen der Vrata, verzeichnet. Wozu taugt eine solche Geburt für den Bösherzigen, der den schönen Frauen der Feinde Vergnügen bereitet?
Narrator/voice within the Adhyaya (Uttara-Bhaga narrative)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It warns that breaking a sacred vow (vrata-bhaṅga) is not a trivial lapse: one’s actions are “recorded,” and seeking comfort in death or fate (Vaivasvata/Yama) cannot erase moral accountability.
By implication, true devotion requires steadiness in vows and discipline; pleasure that strengthens hostile forces is portrayed as self-defeating, whereas bhakti aligns conduct with dharma and self-restraint.
The verse emphasizes vrata-dharma (ritual vow discipline) and karmic accountability rather than a specific Vedanga; practically, it teaches careful observance of vowed observances and avoidance of actions that lead to demerit.