Vamana Purana — Caturmasya Observances, Shloka 12
The Cāturmāsya Observances and the Sleeping–Awakening Cycle of the Gods (Hari–Hara Worship)
स्नातकास्त्वापगास्वेव स्नानजप्यपरायणाः आकण्ठमग्नास्तिष्ठन्ति रात्रौ ज्ञात्वाथ वासरम्
snātakāstvāpagāsveva snānajapyaparāyaṇāḥ ākaṇṭhamagnāstiṣṭhanti rātrau jñātvātha vāsaram
But the snātakas, devoted to ritual bathing and the recitation of mantras (japa), stand in the rivers at night, immersed up to the neck, and remain so until they discern the coming of day.
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FAQs
Steadfastness (dhṛti) and purity (śauca) are cultivated through regulated practice—bathing, mantra-japa, and night vigil. The emphasis is not mere hardship, but disciplined devotion that carries one safely from darkness (night) to clarity (day).
This is ancillary dharma/ācāra content typical of tīrtha-māhātmya sections. It does not map tightly to the five lakṣaṇas, but supports Purāṇic purpose by prescribing conduct and merit-producing observances.
Standing neck-deep through the night symbolizes immersion in sādhana while ‘waiting for day’ signifies awaiting inner illumination. Rivers function as liminal purifiers—crossing from impurity to purity, from ignorance to knowledge.