Shloka 48
The Liberation of the Lizard
Godhā-vimukti
द्वादशाब्दोपवासस्य फलं प्राप्तोत्युपोषणे । दयां कृत्वा महीपाल धर्ममूर्तिर्भवान् क्षितौ ॥ ४८ ॥
dvādaśābdopavāsasya phalaṃ prāptotyupoṣaṇe | dayāṃ kṛtvā mahīpāla dharmamūrtirbhavān kṣitau || 48 ||
Dengan berpuasa (upavāsa) walau sekali dalam satu amalan, seseorang memperoleh pahala seperti puasa dua belas tahun. Wahai Raja, dengan menaruh belas kasihan, engkau menjadi jelmaan Dharma di bumi ini.
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada; addressing a king within the narrative example)
Vrata: Upavāsa observance (contextually tied to the Dvādaśī/Trayodaśī vrata sequence)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It teaches that sincere upavāsa (fasting as a sacred observance) can yield extraordinary puṇya, and that compassion (dayā) is a hallmark of true dharma, especially for a ruler.
By valuing a single focused observance as equal to long austerities, the verse highlights inner sincerity over mere duration—an approach aligned with bhakti, where devoted intent sanctifies the practice.
Ritual discipline (kalpa-oriented vrata practice) is implied: the verse emphasizes correct observance of upavāsa and the ethical limb of dharma (dayā) as integral to religious merit.