Shloka 23
Means of Liberation in Kali-yuga: Satsanga, Hearing Kṛṣṇa-kathā, and the Marks of a Vaiṣṇava
विप्रभक्तिरता ये च परस्त्रीषु नपुंसकाः । एकादशीव्रतरता विज्ञेयास्ते च वैष्णवाः
viprabhaktiratā ye ca parastrīṣu napuṃsakāḥ | ekādaśīvrataratā vijñeyāste ca vaiṣṇavāḥ
Mereka yang tekun berkhidmat dengan bhakti kepada para brāhmaṇa, sama sekali tidak cenderung kepada isteri orang lain (menjauhi zina), serta istiqamah dalam vrata Ekādaśī—merekalah yang dikenal sebagai Vaiṣṇava.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Brahma-khaṇḍa context)
Concept: Vaiṣṇavas are marked by service to brāhmaṇas, strict sexual ethics (parastrī-vairāgya), and dedication to Ekādaśī vrata.
Application: Observe Ekādaśī twice monthly with mindful diet and increased japa/reading; practice relational integrity and guard the senses; serve learned and sincere persons through charity, hospitality, and respectful support.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"On an Ekādaśī dawn, a devotee stands before a Viṣṇu altar with tulasi leaves and a conch, while a simple plate of fruits and water sits untouched—signifying fasting. In the courtyard, he offers respectful service to a learned brāhmaṇa guest; the scene radiates disciplined purity, with subtle lotus patterns and a calendar-like moon phase motif in the sky.","primary_figures":["Vaiṣṇava devotee (gṛhastha or ascetic)","brāhmaṇa guest/teacher","Vishnu (as murti or symbolic aura)","Tulasi plant (as shrine element)"],"setting":"Temple courtyard or home shrine with tulasi-vṛndāvana, Viṣṇu altar, conch, lamp, scripture stand; early morning stillness.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["conch white","saffron gold","tulasi green","deep blue","rose pink"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Ekādaśī worship before a Viṣṇu icon under a gold leaf prabhāmaṇḍala; devotee holding tulasi and offering ārati; brahmana seated receiving pāda-sevā or respectful dāna; rich maroon and emerald textiles, embossed gold borders with lotus and chakra motifs, gem-like ornamentation on the altar.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: dawn courtyard with delicate architecture and soft sky gradient; devotee in simple white, brahmana guest with scripture; tulasi pedestal prominent; moon phase motif subtly painted; refined faces, cool blues and gentle gold highlights.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, symmetrical shrine composition; Viṣṇu panel with conch-chakra-gadā-padma symbols; devotee and brahmana in ritual exchange; strong reds/yellows/greens, temple-wall aesthetic, stylized eyes and ornaments.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Viṣṇu shrine framed by elaborate lotus borders; tulasi vines woven into the border; peacocks and cows as auspicious witnesses; deep indigo background with gold filigree; Ekādaśī indicated by a small lunar emblem above the shrine."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell","temple bells","mridangam (soft)","tanpura drone","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: विप्रभक्तिरताः = विप्र + भक्ति + रताः; परस्त्रीषु = पर + स्त्रीषु; एकादशीव्रतरताः = एकादशी + व्रत + रताः; विज्ञेयाः ते → विज्ञेयास्ते.
FAQs
It highlights three marks: reverent service/devotion toward brāhmaṇas, strict restraint regarding other men’s wives (complete avoidance of adultery), and faithful observance of the Ekādaśī vow.
It is an idiomatic way of praising total sexual restraint in relation to another person’s spouse—i.e., a commitment to chastity and non-violation of others’ marital boundaries.
Ekādaśī is presented as a distinctive devotional discipline (vrata) associated with Viṣṇu-bhakti; steady commitment to it is treated as a practical sign of Vaiṣṇava conduct.