Shloka 78
The Greatness of Hari’s Janmāṣṭamī (Jayantī) Vow
राजोवाच । अन्नाभावान्ममाद्याशु प्राणा यास्यंति निश्चितम् । स्त्रिय ऊचुः । जन्माष्टम्यां हरे राजन्न भोक्तव्यं त्वयानघ
rājovāca | annābhāvānmamādyāśu prāṇā yāsyaṃti niścitam | striya ūcuḥ | janmāṣṭamyāṃ hare rājanna bhoktavyaṃ tvayānagha
Der König sprach: „Aus Mangel an Speise werden heute meine Lebenshauche gewiss bald weichen.“ Die Frauen sprachen: „O König, o Makelloser: an Janmāṣṭamī, dem Geburtstag Haris, darfst du nicht essen.“
King (rājā), followed by the women (striyaḥ)
Concept: On Hari’s Janmāṣṭamī, one must not eat; dharma sometimes protects life by teaching the soul to outlast panic and trust sacred order.
Application: When you feel ‘I cannot go on,’ seek wise counsel and remember your higher commitments; let community and sacred routine stabilize you.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A starving king, eyes hollow with thirst and fear, speaks in despair, hands slightly raised as if surrendering to fate. Around him, steadfast women—calm yet firm—gesture toward the lamps and offerings, reminding him that on Janmāṣṭamī one must not eat; the river behind them flows like a silent witness to dharma.","primary_figures":["King (rājā)","Women (striyaḥ)","Hari/Kṛṣṇa symbol (icon, footprint, or small shrine)"],"setting":"Yamunā ghat at twilight with lit lamps, offering trays, and a small shrine; river current audible and close.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["deep indigo","lamp gold","lotus pink","white jasmine","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central king in distressed posture, women in composed devotional stance pointing toward a small Hari shrine; abundant gold leaf on lamp flames, jewelry, and shrine arch; rich crimson and emerald garments; expressive faces showing compassion and firmness; ornate border with conch and chakra motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate moral drama on a Yamunā ghat—king seated or kneeling in weakness, women gently admonishing; soft twilight sky, delicate lamp points; refined facial expressions; subtle Krishna icon in the background; cool blues with warm lamp highlights.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: strong outlined figures—king with anguished eyes, women with serene authority; stylized river band and lamp row; traditional pigment palette (reds/yellows/greens) with rhythmic composition like a temple narrative panel; small Hari emblem (chakra/conch) near the shrine.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: narrative tableau framed by lotus and floral borders; central lamps and shrine; women arranged symmetrically like attendants; deep blue background with gold detailing; subtle Krishna symbols (flute, peacock feather) integrated; emphasis on devotional discipline over appetite."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"emotional","sound_elements":["women’s firm counsel","temple bells","river flow","conch shell (soft)","lamp crackle"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rājovāca → rājā + uvāca; annābhāvān → anna-abhāvāt (final -t before m); mamādyāśu → mama + adya + āśu; striya ūcuḥ → striyaḥ + ūcuḥ (visarga sandhi); rājanna → rājan (voc.); tvayānagha → tvayā + anagha.
FAQs
It references Janmāṣṭamī, the sacred observance commemorating the birth of Hari (commonly identified with Vishnu/Krishna), during which fasting or abstaining from food is enjoined.
First the king speaks, lamenting that without food his life may end; then the women respond, advising that he should not eat because it is Janmāṣṭamī—framing abstinence as a dharmic vow rather than mere scarcity.
It underscores steadfastness in vrata-dharma: even under hardship or fear, one should honor sacred disciplines dedicated to Hari, prioritizing spiritual commitment over immediate bodily impulse.