Shloka 72
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
सामगायनकं चैव सामव्रतमिहोच्यते । नवम्यामेकभक्तं तु कृत्वा कन्याश्च शक्तितः
sāmagāyanakaṃ caiva sāmavratamihocyate | navamyāmekabhaktaṃ tu kṛtvā kanyāśca śaktitaḥ
ഇവിടെ സാമഗാനത്തെയാണ് ‘സാമവ്രതം’ എന്നു പറയുന്നത്. നവമിയിൽ ഏകഭക്തം (ഒരിക്കൽ മാത്രം ഭോജനം) വ്രതം അനുഷ്ഠിച്ച്, ശേഷിയനുസരിച്ച് കന്യകൾക്ക് ദാനം നൽകണം.
Unspecified (context-dependent narration within Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa Adhyāya 20)
Concept: Sāma-vrata is defined by Sāma-gāna (chanting) joined with measured fasting and dāna—sound (śabda), restraint (niyama), and compassion (giving) as a triad of purification.
Application: Adopt a weekly/monthly discipline: chant a hymn (or a simple stotra) consistently, practice ekabhakta occasionally, and pair austerity with a concrete act of care—support education/health for girls or feed children within one’s means.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A calm ritual hall where a singer-priest performs Sāma-gāna, seated with a palm-leaf manuscript, the melody visualized as flowing ribbons of light. On Navamī, the vow-keeper takes a single measured meal, then offers gifts to young maidens who stand respectfully with flower garlands and small bowls for dāna.","primary_figures":["Sāma-chanting priest","vow-keeper (vratin)","kanyās (young maidens)","attendant with offering tray"],"setting":"Yajña-śālā or temple mandapa with kusa grass seats, manuscript stand, and donation area","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["pearl white","pale gold","leaf green","saffron","sky blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central Sāma-gāyaka seated with manuscript, gold leaf radiance emanating as stylized sound waves, vrati offering gifts to kanyās on Navamī, rich reds and greens, ornate pillars, gem-like detailing on vessels and garments, symmetrical devotional composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical indoor mandapa with soft light, delicate figures listening to Sāma melody, vrati with simple meal plate (ekabhakta) set aside, kanyās receiving modest gifts, cool pastel palette, refined faces and gentle gestures.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized chanting figure with pronounced eyes, rhythmic sound motifs as curved bands, kanyās in orderly row receiving dāna, warm ochre background with red-yellow-green pigments, temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: devotional soundscape framed by lotus and vine borders, deep blue field with gold accents, central singer with radiating floral-sound motifs, kanyās and offerings arranged in decorative symmetry, intricate textile patterns and garland motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["Vedic Sāma melody","tanpura drone","soft hand cymbals","birds at dawn","silence between phrases"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चैव = च + एव. इहोच्यते = इह + उच्यते. नवम्यामेकभक्तं = नवम्याम् + एकभक्तम्. कन्याश्च = कन्याः + च.
FAQs
The verse defines Sāma-vrata as the practice of sāmagāyana—chanting or singing the Sāman hymns of the Sāma Veda.
On Navamī (the ninth lunar day), one should observe ekabhakta (a one-meal discipline) and give to maidens (kanyāḥ) according to one’s means.
It promotes disciplined worship (vrata through chanting and restrained eating) combined with charitable giving (dāna) proportionate to one’s capacity (śaktitaḥ).