Shloka 20
Mohinī-ākhyāna: The Trial of Ekādaśī and the King’s Satya-saṅkalpa
भवद्भिर्नोचितं वक्तुं प्रतिकूलं व्रतापहम् । असंपरीक्ष्य ये दद्युः प्रायश्चित्तं द्विजातयः ॥ २० ॥
bhavadbhirnocitaṃ vaktuṃ pratikūlaṃ vratāpaham | asaṃparīkṣya ye dadyuḥ prāyaścittaṃ dvijātayaḥ || 20 ||
आपके लिए ऐसा वचन कहना उचित नहीं जो धर्म के प्रतिकूल और व्रत का नाश करने वाला हो। जो द्विज बिना जाँच किए प्रायश्चित्त बतलाते हैं, वे अनुचित आचरण करते हैं।
Narada (in dialogue on dharma/prāyaścitta principles)
Vrata: none (talks about vows generally: vrata-apaha = vow-destroying)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It teaches that dharma must be applied with discernment: penance should heal a fault, not become a new harm that breaks one’s vow and spiritual discipline.
By protecting vows and disciplined practice, it safeguards the devotee’s steady sādhana; careless prescriptions that disrupt vrata weaken consistent worship and remembrance.
It emphasizes dharma-vicāra (case-based examination) aligned with śāstra and ritual procedure—an applied discipline closely tied to Kalpa (ritual method) and Smṛti-based adjudication.