The Discourse of Rukmāṅgada
Prabodhinī Ekādaśī, Kārtika-vrata, and Satya-dharma
पतिव्रतानां राजेंद्र न युक्तं समुपोषणम् । एतन्मे गौतमः प्राह स्थिताया मंदराचले ॥ ७७ ॥
pativratānāṃ rājeṃdra na yuktaṃ samupoṣaṇam | etanme gautamaḥ prāha sthitāyā maṃdarācale || 77 ||
Ô roi, pour les épouses vouées à leur mari (pativratā), il n’est pas convenable d’entreprendre un jeûne total. C’est ce que Gautama m’a dit lorsque je demeurais sur le mont Mandara.
Narrator (Purana dialogue voice) recounting a teaching attributed to Sage Gautama, addressed to a king
Vrata: none (general upavasa guidance)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
The verse frames vrata (vow) practice under dharma: austerity must be appropriate to one’s role and obligations, and for pativratā women a total fast is presented as generally unsuitable.
It implies that devotion is not only severe austerity; bhakti aligned with dharma emphasizes steadiness, service, and regulated observances rather than extremes that could disrupt household duties.
Ritual discipline (kalpa-style niyama) is implied: rules of upavāsa/vrata are context-sensitive, and one should follow authoritative instruction (ācārya-vākya) rather than adopt indiscriminate fasting.