Shloka 53
Instruction on All Dharma
in the context of Rāma’s Aśvamedha
षष्ठ्यष्टम्योर्विशेत्पापं तैले मांसे सदैव हि । चतुर्दश्यां तथामायां त्यजेत क्षुरमंगनाम्
ṣaṣṭhyaṣṭamyorviśetpāpaṃ taile māṃse sadaiva hi | caturdaśyāṃ tathāmāyāṃ tyajeta kṣuramaṃganām
Am sechsten und achten Tithi dringt Sünde gewiss durch Öl und Fleisch ein. Ebenso soll man am vierzehnten und am Neumondtag Rasiermesser und Frau meiden.
Unspecified (contextual speaker not provided in the input excerpt)
Concept: Certain tithis demand heightened restraint; indulgence in oil/meat or sensual/ritual impropriety is said to invite pāpa.
Application: Use lunar calendar reminders: on Ṣaṣṭhī/Aṣṭamī reduce heavy foods; on Caturdaśī/Amāvāsyā keep conduct restrained, avoid impulsive grooming/sexual indulgence, and prioritize japa/cleanliness.
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A night-sky calendar tableau: the moon’s phases arc across the top—Ṣaṣṭhī, Aṣṭamī, Caturdaśī, and Amāvāsyā marked with symbolic seals. Below, a disciplined householder turns away from a platter of oily meat and sets down a razor, choosing instead a lamp, japa-mālā, and clean water pot—pāpa depicted as a shadowy mist recoiling from the lamp’s circle of light.","primary_figures":["householder (gṛhastha)","symbolic Moon (Candra) with phase arc","shadow-figure of Pāpa (allegorical)"],"setting":"simple room with ritual calendar markings, lamp, mala, food tray, razor placed aside","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["midnight blue","silver moonlight","lamp amber","ash gray","deep maroon"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: lunar phase arc with gold leaf crescents, the gṛhastha in disciplined pose, ornate lamp with gold highlights, allegorical pāpa as dark motif outside the golden aura, rich reds/greens and traditional borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: cool nocturne with delicate moon phases, refined interior scene, subtle symbolism (shadow mist), gentle restraint mood, fine brushwork on utensils and textiles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold moon iconography, stylized figure placing razor aside, lamp aura as patterned mandala, strong outlines and earthy pigments emphasizing niyama.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: decorative lunar border with crescents, central moral vignette of restraint, lotus motifs subdued, deep blue ground with gold highlights and intricate floral framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["night insects","soft conch in distance","single temple bell","low drone (tanpura)","brief hush on ‘amāvāsyā’"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: षष्ठ्यष्टम्योः = षष्ठी + अष्टम्योः (द्वन्द्व; य्-सन्धि); विशेत्पापम् = विशेत् + पापम्; तथामायाम् = तथा + अमायाम्; क्षुरमंगनाम् = क्षुरम् + अङ्गनाम्
FAQs
It names Ṣaṣṭhī (6th) and Aṣṭamī (8th), advising avoidance related to oil and meat; and Caturdaśī (14th) and Amāvāsyā (new moon), advising avoidance of shaving (razor) and association with a woman.
The verse frames certain actions as increasing ritual/ethical impurity on specific lunar days, encouraging self-restraint (saṃyama) and heightened observance during sensitive tithis.
Not in this isolated śloka. Identifying the deity, vow-context, and dialogue speaker requires the surrounding verses of Pātāla-khaṇḍa, Adhyāya 9.