Shloka 148
The Account and Merit of Śivadūtī
with the Nāga-tīrtha at Puṣkara
अष्टम्यां च चतुर्दश्यां सोपवासो नरोत्तम । संवत्सरेण लभतां राज्यं निष्कंटकं पुनः
aṣṭamyāṃ ca caturdaśyāṃ sopavāso narottama | saṃvatsareṇa labhatāṃ rājyaṃ niṣkaṃṭakaṃ punaḥ
Wahai insan terbaik, sesiapa yang berpuasa (upavāsa) pada hari Aṣṭamī dan Caturdaśī, dalam setahun akan memperoleh kembali kerajaan yang tanpa duri—bebas daripada kesusahan dan musuh.
Not specified in the provided excerpt (contextual speaker not inferable from a single verse alone).
Concept: Tithi-based fasting disciplines restore order in one’s life and remove obstacles, yielding swift, tangible results.
Application: Observe aṣṭamī and caturdaśī with a simple fast and restraint of speech/anger; dedicate the day’s merit to Narayana, and pair it with charity or feeding to convert austerity into compassion.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciplined king stands before a small Vishnu shrine on aṣṭamī night, hands folded, having set aside royal luxuries for a simple fast. In the background, a thorny wilderness transforms into a clear, orderly kingdom—symbolizing enemies and troubles dissolving through vrata-power.","primary_figures":["a fasting king (nṛpa)","Vishnu/Narayana (icon or subtle divine presence)","court priest (optional)"],"setting":"palace-temple threshold with a modest altar, oil lamps, and a distant cityscape becoming serene","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep indigo","lamp-gold","sandalwood beige","ruby red","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a regal king in jeweled yet restrained attire stands fasting before a Narayana icon on a small altar, thick gold-leaf halo around Vishnu, ornate arch (prabhavali), rich reds and greens, gem-studded ornaments; background shows a symbolic thorny hedge parting into a peaceful city, heavy gold embellishment and temple-lamp glow.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet palace courtyard at dusk, the king with folded hands near a small Vishnu shrine, delicate brushwork and refined faces; a lyrical landscape where thorny shrubs fade into orderly fields and a calm city, cool blues and soft greens with a gentle moonlit gradient.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines, natural pigments; the king in profile performing vrata before a stylized Vishnu figure with large expressive eyes, lamp flames and lotus motifs; red/yellow/green palette with rhythmic decorative borders suggesting ‘kaṇṭaka’ thorns dissolving into auspicious patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Vishnu-centered altar framed by lotus vines and auspicious borders; the fasting king at the lower register; symbolic thorn motifs at the edges transforming into floral abundance; deep blues, gold detailing, intricate patterns, temple lamps and conch motifs."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","soft conch shell","low mridangam pulse","night insects","ritual silence between lines"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सोपवासः = स + उपवासः; निष्कण्टकम् written as निष्कंटकं in text; no further mandatory sandhi splits.
FAQs
It prescribes observing upavāsa (fasting) on the aṣṭamī (8th lunar day) and caturdaśī (14th lunar day).
The verse states that within a year the practitioner attains sovereignty/kingdom again, described as niṣkaṇṭaka—free from troubles, obstacles, or hostile forces.
It frames disciplined observance (vrata/fasting) as a means to restore order and stability—symbolically removing 'thorns' such as conflict, adversity, and obstruction from one’s life or rule.