Shloka 31
Mohinī-ākhyāna: The Trial of Ekādaśī and the King’s Satya-saṅkalpa
वैवस्वतो हर्षमुपाश्रयेच्च सलेखको मे व्रतभंग एव । किं तेन जातेन दुरात्मना हि ददाति हर्षं रिपुसुंदरीणाम् ॥ ३१ ॥
vaivasvato harṣamupāśrayecca salekhako me vratabhaṃga eva | kiṃ tena jātena durātmanā hi dadāti harṣaṃ ripusuṃdarīṇām || 31 ||
क्या मैं वैवस्वत (यम) से हर्ष की आशा करूँ? मेरे लिए तो केवल व्रत-भंग ही लेखा जा रहा है। उस दुरात्मा के जन्म का क्या प्रयोजन, जो शत्रुओं की सुन्दरियों को हर्ष देता है?
Narrator/voice within the Adhyaya (Uttara-Bhaga narrative)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It warns that breaking a sacred vow (vrata-bhaṅga) is not a trivial lapse: one’s actions are “recorded,” and seeking comfort in death or fate (Vaivasvata/Yama) cannot erase moral accountability.
By implication, true devotion requires steadiness in vows and discipline; pleasure that strengthens hostile forces is portrayed as self-defeating, whereas bhakti aligns conduct with dharma and self-restraint.
The verse emphasizes vrata-dharma (ritual vow discipline) and karmic accountability rather than a specific Vedanga; practically, it teaches careful observance of vowed observances and avoidance of actions that lead to demerit.