Shloka 91
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
नक्तं चरेदब्दमेकमब्दान्ते गोप्रदो भवेत् । गौरीलोके वसेत्कल्पं ततो राजा भवेदिह
naktaṃ caredabdamekamabdānte goprado bhavet | gaurīloke vasetkalpaṃ tato rājā bhavediha
ഒരു വർഷം നക്തവ്രതം ആചരിക്കുന്നവൻ വർഷാന്ത്യത്തിൽ ഗോദാനദാതാവാകുന്നു। അവൻ ഗൗരീലോകത്തിൽ ഒരു കല്പകാലം വസിച്ച്, പിന്നെ ഭൂമിയിൽ രാജാവാകുന്നു।
Unspecified (narrative voice within the Adhyaya; traditional frame often involves Pulastya speaking to Bhīṣma in the Padma Purāṇa)
Concept: Consistency in a year-long niyama (nakta) matures into generosity (go-dāna disposition) and layered rewards—celestial residence and earthly sovereignty.
Application: Adopt a sustainable long-term vow (e.g., one mindful meal, evening-only meal, or periodic restraint) and pair it with planned charity; let discipline culminate in giving rather than self-display.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A householder observes the nakta vow—quiet evening meal taken after sunset prayers—while a calendar wheel marks the passing of months. Above, a gentle vision of Gaurī-loka unfolds like a luminous terrace garden with white lotuses and a serene goddess-presence, foreshadowing the promised aeon-long residence; in the background, a cow-gift ceremony is hinted by a decorated cow and a brāhmaṇa receiving it.","primary_figures":["vrata-observer (householder)","Gaurī (celestial vision)","brāhmaṇa recipient","decorated cow"],"setting":"Domestic shrine at dusk with oil lamps, a small offering tray, and a courtyard where the cow-dāna is prepared.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["ivory white","lamp-flame gold","vermillion","leaf green","midnight blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: split narrative—lower panel shows the devotee at dusk before a home altar, upper panel shows Gaurī-loka with Gaurī enthroned amid lotuses; gold leaf radiance, rich reds/greens, ornate jewelry, and a decorated cow with gold caparison beside a brāhmaṇa receiving dāna.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: twilight courtyard with delicate lamps, the devotee taking a simple evening meal after prayer; a soft, cloud-framed Gaurī-loka vignette above with lotus pools and pale marble pavilions; cool blues, gentle whites, fine textile detail and lyrical trees.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, warm reds and yellows; Gaurī in iconic frontal pose within a decorative arch, below a simplified domestic shrine scene; stylized cow-dāna motif, temple-wall composition and natural pigment palette.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central lotus medallion featuring Gaurī-loka imagery, border of lamps and floral vines; lower register shows cow-dāna procession; deep blue ground, gold highlights, intricate patterns and symmetrical framing."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["evening bells","soft mridang pulse (distant)","cow bells","crickets","lamp wick crackle"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चरेत्+अब्दम् → caredabdām (लिप्यन्तरे caredabdamekam); अब्दम्+एकम् → अब्दमेकम्; वसेत्+कल्पम् → वसेत्कल्पम्; भवेत्+इह → भवेदिह
FAQs
It describes observing a “nakta” discipline—conducting the vow in a night-focused manner—for one full year, presented as a vrata with specified spiritual and worldly results.
In Purāṇic ethics, go-dāna (gift of cows) is a paradigmatic act of generosity and dharma; the verse links sustained restraint (vrata) with the capacity/merit to perform high-value charity.
Consistent self-discipline over time is portrayed as producing both spiritual merit (residence in a divine realm) and social-worldly uplift (kingship), illustrating the Purāṇic principle that dharma bears multi-level fruits.