Shloka 1
Mohinī-Ākhyāna: Rukmāṅgada’s Refusal to Eat on Harivāsara
Ekādaśī
राजोवाच । कीर्तिर्नश्यतु मे पुत्र ह्यनृती वा भवाम्यहम् । गतो वा नरकं घोरं कथं भोक्ष्ये हरेर्दिने ॥ १ ॥
rājovāca | kīrtirnaśyatu me putra hyanṛtī vā bhavāmyaham | gato vā narakaṃ ghoraṃ kathaṃ bhokṣye harerdine || 1 ||
The king said: “Let my fame perish, my son, even if I be deemed a liar; or let me go to dreadful hell—yet how could I ever eat on the day sacred to Hari (Viṣṇu)?”
King (Rāja)
Vrata: Ekadashi (Hari’s day / Harivāsara)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It elevates Hari-dina observance above worldly reputation and even personal consequence, portraying devotion as unwavering commitment to Viṣṇu’s sacred vow-days.
Bhakti is shown as steadfastness: the devotee refuses actions (like eating on Hari’s day) that violate devotion, even if it costs fame or invites suffering.
Primarily Kalpa (ritual discipline) is implied—rules of vrata/fasting and sacred-day conduct—rather than technical grammar or astrology.