Shloka 18
The Āditya-Śayana (Ravi-Śayana) Vow: Night-Meal Discipline, Nakṣatra Limb-Worship, and the Unity of Sūrya and Śiva
इत्येवं नृप नक्तानि कृत्वा दद्यात्पुनर्वसौ । शालेयतंडुलप्रस्थमौदुंबरमथो घृतम्
ityevaṃ nṛpa naktāni kṛtvā dadyātpunarvasau | śāleyataṃḍulaprasthamauduṃbaramatho ghṛtam
ഹേ രാജാവേ, ഇങ്ങനെ നക്തവ്രതം അനുഷ്ഠിച്ച് പുനർവസു ദിനത്തിൽ ദാനം നൽകണം—ശ്രേഷ്ഠമായ ശാലി അരിയുടെ ഒരു പ്രസ്ഥ അളവ്, ഉദുംബര അർപ്പണം, കൂടാതെ ഘൃതം.
Unspecified (narratorial instruction addressing a king, likely within a dialogue context)
Concept: Vrata is completed by dāna: disciplined fasting culminates in measured charity of staple foods, converting personal restraint into social-sacral benefit.
Application: Pair personal spiritual practices with tangible giving—food donations, ghee/oil for lamps, staples for kitchens—especially on observance days; give in measured, intentional ways.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A kingly courtyard at dawn where a vrati completes his night-discipline and offers charity: a prastha-measure of fine śāli rice poured into a clean vessel, a pot of ghee gleaming, and udumbara figs arranged on a leaf plate. Brahmins and the poor receive the gifts with folded hands, while a nakṣatra wheel marks Punarvasu overhead like a blessing.","primary_figures":["king (nṛpa)","brāhmaṇas (recipients)","poor/guests (recipients)","priest (measuring prastha)"],"setting":"Palace courtyard or temple charity hall with measuring vessel, grain sacks, ghee pot, fig offerings, and a small shrine in the background.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["sunrise saffron","rice white","ghee gold","leaf green","earth brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: royal donor offering measured śāli rice (prastha) and a shining ghee pot to brāhmaṇas; udumbara figs on a leaf plate; gold leaf highlights on vessels and jewelry, rich crimson and emerald garments, ornate palace pillars; border includes Punarvasu nakṣatra emblem and auspicious kalasha motifs.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: gentle courtyard charity scene with delicate brushwork; priest measuring rice with a small vessel, recipients seated in a line; soft dawn sky with Punarvasu constellation indicated by tiny silver dots; cool shadows, warm saffron accents, refined faces and textiles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized king and recipients with bold outlines; prominent depiction of rice measure, ghee pot, and figs; warm yellow-red-green palette; symmetrical composition with a nakṣatra mandala labeled Punarvasu above.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central charity tableau framed by lotus vines and floral borders; deep blue background with gold highlights; cows and peacocks in corners as auspicious motifs; Punarvasu medallion at top center; intricate detailing on grain, vessels, and garments."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["measuring vessel clink","soft chanting","temple bells","morning birds","conch shell (dāna commencement)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: इत्येवं→इति+एवम्; दद्यात्पुनर्वसौ→दद्यात्+पुनर्वसौ; शालेयतंडुलप्रस्थमौदुंबरमथो→शालेय-तण्डुल-प्रस्थम्+औदुम्बरम्+अथ
FAQs
It prescribes observing naktāni (night-fast observances) and then giving specific items in charity—fine śāli rice (measured as one prastha), an udumbara-related offering, and ghee—on the day associated with the Punarvasu nakṣatra.
Punarvasu is a lunar asterism (nakṣatra). The verse links the merit of charity and observance to a specific calendrical marker, reflecting Purāṇic practice where vows and gifts are timed to auspicious nakṣatras.
The verse emphasizes disciplined self-restraint (fasting/observance) joined with generosity (dāna). Merit is framed not only as personal austerity but as tangible giving that supports religious and social duty.