Shloka 23
The Rohiṇī–Candra Śayana Vow
Lunar Bed-Vow with Rohiṇī
सवस्त्रभाजनां धेनुं तथा शंखं च भाजनम् । भूषणैर्द्विजदाम्पत्यमलंकृत्य गुणान्वितं
savastrabhājanāṃ dhenuṃ tathā śaṃkhaṃ ca bhājanam | bhūṣaṇairdvijadāmpatyamalaṃkṛtya guṇānvitaṃ
വസ്ത്രവും പാത്രവും സഹിതം ധേനുവിനെ ദാനം ചെയ്ത്, പാത്രരൂപമായ ശംഖും നൽകണം; കൂടാതെ ഗുണസമ്പന്നരായ ബ്രാഹ്മണ ദമ്പതികളെ ആഭരണങ്ങളാൽ അലങ്കരിക്കണം।
Unspecified (narrative injunction within Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa 26)
Concept: Dharma is upheld by honoring the virtuous and supporting sacred life through gifts—cow, cloth, vessels, and śaṅkha—given to worthy recipients.
Application: Support ethical teachers and stable households; give practical items (clothing, utensils) and honor couples who live with integrity—strengthening community dharma.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"At the vow’s conclusion, the donor presents a cow with folded cloth and shining vessels, placing a conch-shell vessel prominently among the gifts. A dignified Brahmin couple, serene and well-qualified, is ceremonially adorned with ornaments as the conch’s white spiral catches the lamplight, symbolizing Vishnu’s presence and blessing.","primary_figures":["vratin donor","white cow (dhenu)","brāhmaṇa couple (dvija-dāmpatya)","Vaishnava priest","śaṅkha (conch vessel)"],"setting":"temple mandapa or household shrine area with gift arrangement, garlands, ritual fire or lamp, seated recipients","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["conch white","antique bronze","ruby red","emerald green","gold"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: udyāpana dāna scene—cow with cloth and vessels, prominent conch-shell vessel, brāhmaṇa couple seated and being adorned with gold ornaments; heavy gold leaf on jewelry and conch highlights, rich red-green drapery, carved pillars, Vishnu shrine in background, symmetrical devotional composition.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined ceremony with delicate ornamentation—brāhmaṇa couple receiving gifts, conch vessel gleaming, cow nearby; soft interior architecture, patterned textiles, gentle faces, subtle lamp glow, lyrical restraint.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and flat pigment fields—conch vessel emphasized, cow and vessels arranged, brāhmaṇa couple adorned; temple-wall aesthetic with stylized jewelry, red-yellow-green palette and black contours.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central conch (śaṅkha) motif with lotus borders; gifting scene below a small Krishna/Vishnu shrine, cows and floral garlands, intricate textile patterns, deep blue and gold, peacocks at corners."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell resonance","temple bells","murmured blessings","anklet/jewelry clink","soft crowd hush"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सवस्त्रभाजनाम् = स + वस्त्रभाजनाम्; भूषणैर्द्विजदाम्पत्यमलंकृत्य = भूषणैः + द्विजदाम्पत्यम् + अलंकृत्य; गुणान्वितम् = गुण + अन्वितम्
FAQs
The verse describes gifting a cow along with cloth and a vessel, additionally giving a conch used as a vessel, and honoring a worthy Brahmin couple with ornaments.
It indicates that gifts should be directed to recipients of good conduct and qualification, aligning dāna with ethical discernment rather than mere formality.
Charity is presented as complete when it is respectful (honoring recipients), materially sufficient (cow, cloth, vessels), and guided by discernment (giving to the virtuous).