Shloka 83
Kāṣṭhīlā-Ākhyāna: Ratnāvalī’s Return, Co-wife Dharma, and the Phālguna Propitiation
ततोऽहं यमनिर्द्दिष्टां प्राप्ता नरकयातनाम् । तामतीत्य सुदुःखार्ता काष्ठीला चाभवं शुभे ॥ ८३ ॥
tato'haṃ yamanirddiṣṭāṃ prāptā narakayātanām | tāmatītya suduḥkhārtā kāṣṭhīlā cābhavaṃ śubhe || 83 ||
Dann erlitt ich die Höllenqual, wie sie von Yama bestimmt ist. Nachdem ich diese Prüfung durchschritten hatte, von heftigstem Schmerz gepeinigt, o Glückverheißende, wurde ich wie ein Stück Holz—betäubt und reglos.
A suffering soul/recipient of Yama’s judgment (narrative voice within the discourse)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It underscores the inevitability of karmic consequences: actions lead to Yama-ordained experiences, and intense suffering can leave the jīva mentally and spiritually numb—prompting repentance and a return to dharma.
By showing the stark pain of naraka-yātanā, the verse indirectly motivates refuge in wholesome living and devotion—turning the mind toward remembrance of the Divine and away from sinful habits that lead to Yama’s punishments.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is ethical discipline (dharma) and karmic accountability, which traditionally guide ritual conduct and vow-observance (vrata) in Purāṇic practice.