Shloka 10
The Vision of Mohinī (मोहिनी-दर्शनम्)
अकृत्वेदं महाराज व्रतं पातकनाशनम् । गार्हस्थ्यमनुतिष्ठेत वंध्यावन्निष्फलो भवेत् । सुखमीदृग्विधं लोके दुर्लभं प्रतिभाति मे ॥ १० ॥
akṛtvedaṃ mahārāja vrataṃ pātakanāśanam | gārhasthyamanutiṣṭheta vaṃdhyāvanniṣphalo bhavet | sukhamīdṛgvidhaṃ loke durlabhaṃ pratibhāti me || 10 ||
Ô grand roi, si l’on n’accomplit pas ce vœu qui détruit les fautes, alors, même en menant la vie de maître de maison, on demeure sans fruit—tel une femme stérile. Un bonheur de cette sorte, me semble-t-il, est rare en ce monde.
Narada (in discourse to a king)
Vrata: none (the specific vow is referred to as ‘idaṃ vrataṃ’)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
The verse asserts that a specific vrata is a pātaka-nāśana (sin-destroying) discipline; without it, even the gṛhastha āśrama is called “niṣphala” (fruitless), emphasizing that dharmic observances are meant to yield inner merit, purification, and lasting well-being.
By praising a vow as the source of rare “sukha,” the verse frames vrata as a practical expression of devotion—regular, faith-driven observance that purifies the devotee and makes worldly life supportive of bhakti rather than merely material routine.
The verse chiefly highlights kalpa/ācāra (ritual procedure and dharmic conduct) rather than technical Vedāṅgas like vyākaraṇa or jyotiṣa—stressing that correct observance of vrata is a concrete, actionable discipline for householders.