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
Demikianlah, wahai raja, setelah menunaikan disiplin puasa malam menurut cara ini, pada hari asterisme Punarvasu hendaklah bersedekah satu prastha beras śāli yang halus, beserta persembahan udumbara (buah ara) dan ghee (ghṛta).
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.