Shloka 3
Dharmāṅgada’s Discourse (Dharmāṅgadopadeśa) in the Mohinī Episode
भोजनं वासरे विष्णोर्वधं वा तनयस्य वै । धर्मत्यागाद्वरं नाथ पुत्रस्य विनिपातनम् ॥ ३ ॥
bhojanaṃ vāsare viṣṇorvadhaṃ vā tanayasya vai | dharmatyāgādvaraṃ nātha putrasya vinipātanam || 3 ||
હે નાથ! વિષ્ણુના પવિત્ર દિવસે ભોજન કરવું કે પોતાના પુત્રનો વધ કરવો પણ—ધર્મત્યાગ કરતાં શ્રેયસ્કર છે; ધર્મ છોડવા કરતાં પુત્રનો વિનાશ સારો।
Narada (teaching in a dharma-focused discourse within Uttara-Bhaga)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
The verse teaches that dharma is non-negotiable: even extreme personal loss is portrayed as preferable to dharma-tyāga, stressing unwavering righteousness as the foundation of spiritual progress.
By highlighting a “day of Viṣṇu,” the verse implies that devotion is expressed through disciplined observance (niyama) and fidelity to dharma; true Viṣṇu-bhakti is not sentimental but dharma-rooted.
It points to vrata/niyama timing—observance tied to a specific sacred day—connecting to practical calendrical discipline (often aligned with Jyotiṣa-based tithi/vāra considerations in Purāṇic practice).