The Account of Kāṣṭhīlā (Kāṣṭhīlā-ākhyāna) within the Mohinī Narrative
शालवृक्षाश्रितः शेते विप्रश्चैको वरानने । तमानय त्वरायुक्ता येनाहं भक्ष्यमाचरे ॥ ९३ ॥
śālavṛkṣāśritaḥ śete vipraścaiko varānane | tamānaya tvarāyuktā yenāhaṃ bhakṣyamācare || 93 ||
Wahai yang berwajah jelita, ada seorang brāhmaṇa sendirian berbaring berehat di bawah pokok śāla. Pergilah segera dan bawalah dia ke mari, supaya aku dapat menjadikannya santapan.
Unnamed male speaker (a rakṣasa/evil being speaking to a woman/consort)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
It highlights adharma through the intent to harm a vipra (brāhmaṇa), setting up the Purāṇic moral contrast where righteousness protects the innocent and condemns predatory violence.
Indirectly: by portraying cruelty toward a pious person, the narrative typically motivates taking refuge in dharma and devotion—especially Viṣṇu-bhakti—as the protective, purifying alternative to demonic impulses.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is dharma-oriented—non-violence and protection of brāhmaṇas and the righteous, a common Purāṇic standard for social and ritual order.