Shloka 91
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
नक्तं चरेदब्दमेकमब्दान्ते गोप्रदो भवेत् । गौरीलोके वसेत्कल्पं ततो राजा भवेदिह
naktaṃ caredabdamekamabdānte goprado bhavet | gaurīloke vasetkalpaṃ tato rājā bhavediha
Wer das nächtliche Gelübde ein volles Jahr übt, wird am Ende des Jahres zum Spender von Kühen. Er verweilt eine Kalpa lang in Gaurīs Welt und wird danach hier auf Erden König.
Unspecified (narrative voice within the Adhyaya; traditional frame often involves Pulastya speaking to Bhīṣma in the Padma Purāṇa)
Concept: Consistency in a year-long niyama (nakta) matures into generosity (go-dāna disposition) and layered rewards—celestial residence and earthly sovereignty.
Application: Adopt a sustainable long-term vow (e.g., one mindful meal, evening-only meal, or periodic restraint) and pair it with planned charity; let discipline culminate in giving rather than self-display.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder observes the nakta vow—quiet evening meal taken after sunset prayers—while a calendar wheel marks the passing of months. Above, a gentle vision of Gaurī-loka unfolds like a luminous terrace garden with white lotuses and a serene goddess-presence, foreshadowing the promised aeon-long residence; in the background, a cow-gift ceremony is hinted by a decorated cow and a brāhmaṇa receiving it.","primary_figures":["vrata-observer (householder)","Gaurī (celestial vision)","brāhmaṇa recipient","decorated cow"],"setting":"Domestic shrine at dusk with oil lamps, a small offering tray, and a courtyard where the cow-dāna is prepared.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["ivory white","lamp-flame gold","vermillion","leaf green","midnight blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: split narrative—lower panel shows the devotee at dusk before a home altar, upper panel shows Gaurī-loka with Gaurī enthroned amid lotuses; gold leaf radiance, rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry, and a decorated cow with gold caparison beside a brāhmaṇa receiving dāna.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: twilight courtyard with delicate lamps, the devotee taking a simple evening meal after prayer; a soft, cloud-framed Gaurī-loka vignette above with lotus pools and pale marble pavilions; cool blues, gentle whites, fine textile detail and lyrical trees.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, warm reds and yellows; Gaurī in iconic frontal pose within a decorative arch, below a simplified domestic shrine scene; stylized cow-dāna motif, temple-wall composition and natural pigment palette.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus medallion featuring Gaurī-loka imagery, border of lamps and floral vines; lower register shows cow-dāna procession; deep blue ground, gold highlights, intricate patterns and symmetrical framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["evening bells","soft mridang pulse (distant)","cow bells","crickets","lamp wick crackle"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चरेत्+अब्दम् → caredabdām (लिप्यन्तरे caredabdamekam); अब्दम्+एकम् → अब्दमेकम्; वसेत्+कल्पम् → वसेत्कल्पम्; भवेत्+इह → भवेदिह
FAQs
It describes observing a “nakta” discipline—conducting the vow in a night-focused manner—for one full year, presented as a vrata with specified spiritual and worldly results.
In Purāṇic ethics, go-dāna (gift of cows) is a paradigmatic act of generosity and dharma; the verse links sustained restraint (vrata) with the capacity/merit to perform high-value charity.
Consistent self-discipline over time is portrayed as producing both spiritual merit (residence in a divine realm) and social-worldly uplift (kingship), illustrating the Purāṇic principle that dharma bears multi-level fruits.