Shloka 60
The Aśūnyaśayanā Vow (Unempty Bed) and the Aṅgāraka Caturthī Observance
इत्येवमुक्तो भुगुनंदनेन चकार सर्वं व्रतमेव दैत्यः । त्वं चापि राजन्कुरु सर्वमेतद्यतोक्षयं वेदविदो वदंति
ityevamukto bhugunaṃdanena cakāra sarvaṃ vratameva daityaḥ | tvaṃ cāpi rājankuru sarvametadyatokṣayaṃ vedavido vadaṃti
So unterwiesen vom Sohn Bhṛgus vollzog der Daitya das Gelübde in seiner Gänze. Auch du, o König, tue dies alles, denn die Kenner der Veden verkünden: seine Früchte sind unvergänglich.
Narrator (continuing the discourse to a king; exact named speaker not explicit in this verse alone)
Concept: Vrata performed as instructed by a qualified teacher yields imperishable results; therefore the king should adopt it too.
Application: Seek reliable guidance, complete the practice without omissions, and value consistency over display; treat vows as long-term character training rather than short-term bargaining.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A solemn teaching moment: a radiant sage, Bhṛgu’s son, finishes instructing a humbled Daitya who now performs the vow with precise ritual gestures. In the foreground, a listening king is subtly mirrored—hands folded—invited into the same ‘imperishable’ discipline as the air shimmers with mantra-sound.","primary_figures":["Bhṛgu’s son (Bhārgava sage)","Daitya devotee performing vrata","King (listener)","Vishnu as unseen presiding presence (symbolic)"],"setting":"Riverside hermitage with a small yajña-kuṇḍa, tulasi pots, and ritual implements; palm-leaf manuscripts near the teacher’s seat.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["saffron ochre","sandalwood beige","emerald green","conch white","gold leaf"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a Bhārgava sage seated on a carved wooden āsana instructs a kneeling Daitya who performs a vrata beside a small fire altar; the king stands with añjali-mudrā; Vishnu’s presence suggested by a glowing śaṅkha-cakra halo in the sky; heavy gold leaf embellishment on ornaments, ritual vessels, and aureoles; rich reds, deep greens, and gem-studded jewelry; traditional South Indian iconographic detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet hermitage scene by a gentle river, delicate brushwork showing the sage teaching and the Daitya carefully arranging offerings; the king listens under a flowering tree; cool natural palette with lyrical landscape, refined faces, soft textiles, and distant hills; subtle divine radiance hinted through a pale golden wash.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and natural pigments depict the sage with pronounced eyes and serene expression, the Daitya in respectful posture performing the vow, and the king in devotional stance; temple-wall aesthetic with stylized flora, red/yellow/green dominance, and a symbolic śaṅkha-cakra motif above indicating Bhagavān’s sanction.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional tableau where the vow’s ‘akṣaya’ fruit is symbolized by endless lotus garlands and repeating tulasi motifs; a central Vishnu emblem (śaṅkha-cakra-padma) presides while the sage instructs and the devotee offers; intricate floral borders, peacocks near water, deep indigo background with gold highlights."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","crackling sacrificial fire","rustling palm leaves","distant flowing water"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्येवमुक्तो = इति + एवम् + उक्तः; भुगुनंदनेन = भृगु + नन्दनेन; व्रतमेव = व्रतम् + एव; राजन्कुरु = राजन् + कुरु; सर्वमेतत् = सर्वम् + एतत्; यतोक्षयम् = यतः + अक्षयम्; वदंति → वदन्ति (मानक रूप)
FAQs
The verse refers to “Bhṛgu-nandana,” literally “Bhṛgu’s son.” The specific identity (e.g., a named sage) is not stated in this single verse and is typically clarified by the surrounding passage.
“Akṣaya” means imperishable or undecaying, indicating that the merit (phala) gained from performing the prescribed observance is considered enduring and not easily exhausted.
The verse stresses disciplined practice: when a righteous observance is taught by an authoritative source and affirmed by Vedic knowers, one should follow it fully to obtain lasting spiritual benefit.