Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 48

Aditi’s Lament and Kaśyapa’s Instruction of the Payo-vrata (Milk Vow) to Please Keśava

Devanagari script

प्रतिपद्दिनमारभ्य यावच्छुक्लत्रयोदशीम् । ब्रह्मचर्यमध:स्वप्नं स्‍नानं त्रिषवणं चरेत् ॥ ४८ ॥

Transliteration

pratipad-dinam ārabhya yāvac chukla-trayodaśīm brahmacaryam adhaḥ-svapnaṁ snānaṁ tri-ṣavaṇaṁ caret

Translation

De pratipat jusqu’à śukla-trayodaśī, on observera un brahmacarya complet, on dormira à même le sol et l’on se baignera trois fois par jour, accomplissant ainsi le vœu.

Synonyms

• प्रतिपत्-दिनम्: (from) the pratipat day
• प्रतिपत्-दिनम्: Kāla-avadhi (कालावधि/आरम्भबिन्दु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रतिपत् (प्रातिपदिक) + दिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (the day of pratipat / from pratipat day as starting point)

• आरभ्य: starting from
• आरभ्य: Kāla-avadhi (कालावधि)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ-रभ् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय-भावकृदन्त (gerund), अर्थ: आरम्भं कृत्वा (starting from)

• यावत्: up to
• यावत्: Kāla-avadhi (कालावधि)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यावत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधि-वाचक अव्यय (up to/until)

• शुक्ल-त्रयोदशीम्: the Śukla-trayodaśī (13th lunar day of bright fortnight)
• शुक्ल-त्रयोदशीम्: Kāla-avadhi (कालावधि/गन्तव्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक्ल (प्रातिपदिक) + त्रयोदशी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (the bright-fortnight thirteenth day)

• ब्रह्मचर्यम्: celibacy
• ब्रह्मचर्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मचर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अधः-स्वप्नम्: sleeping on the ground
• अधः-स्वप्नम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधः (अव्यय) + स्वप्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास; अर्थ: अधः (भूमौ) स्वप्नः = sleeping on the ground

• स्नानम्: bathing
• स्नानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• त्रि-षवणम्: thrice-daily (rites/bathing)
• त्रि-षवणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + षवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (three times a day / at three savanas)

• चरेत्: should practice/observe
• चरेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the rules of Payo-vrata?

In Bhagavatam 8.16.48, Śukadeva explains that from pratipad through śukla-trayodaśī one should maintain celibacy, sleep on the ground, and bathe three times daily as part of the vow’s discipline.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī prescribe celibacy and austerity during a vrata?

Because a vrata is meant to increase purity and single-pointed devotion; regulated conduct like brahmacarya, simple sleeping, and repeated bathing supports steady remembrance and worship of Lord Viṣṇu.

How can I apply this teaching in modern life while observing a devotional vow?

Keep conduct clean and restrained: reduce sensual distractions, simplify comforts, and follow a consistent daily routine of cleanliness and prayer/meditation, aligning the body and mind with devotion.