Shloka 23
Kāṣṭhīla-Upākhyāna: Rākṣasī, Spear-Śakti, and Kāśī as Śakti-kṣetra
एवमेव त्वया कार्यं नाद्य चोपकृतं तव । आत्मा ते सर्वथा देयः प्रतीकारस्य हेतवे ॥ २३ ॥
evameva tvayā kāryaṃ nādya copakṛtaṃ tava | ātmā te sarvathā deyaḥ pratīkārasya hetave || 23 ||
So indeed must it be done by you; today you have not rendered any help. Therefore, for the sake of making amends, you must wholly offer yourself.
Sanatkumara (instructional voice addressing Narada / a disciple-figure)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It frames true expiation (pratīkāra) as sincere corrective action—complete humility and self-offering in service—rather than mere words or delay.
Bhakti is expressed here as ātmā-samarpaṇa (self-surrender): taking responsibility, serving, and offering oneself to restore dharma—an inner devotion shown through outward conduct.
The verse points to Dharma-śāstra style prayāścitta logic (remedy/atonement through appropriate action), rather than a specific Vedanga like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa.