Shloka 78
The Greatness of Hari’s Janmāṣṭamī (Jayantī) Vow
राजोवाच । अन्नाभावान्ममाद्याशु प्राणा यास्यंति निश्चितम् । स्त्रिय ऊचुः । जन्माष्टम्यां हरे राजन्न भोक्तव्यं त्वयानघ
rājovāca | annābhāvānmamādyāśu prāṇā yāsyaṃti niścitam | striya ūcuḥ | janmāṣṭamyāṃ hare rājanna bhoktavyaṃ tvayānagha
ରାଜା କହିଲେ—“ଅନ୍ନ ନଥିବାରୁ ଆଜି ମୋ ପ୍ରାଣ ଶୀଘ୍ର ଚାଲିଯିବ, ଏହା ନିଶ୍ଚିତ।” ସ୍ତ୍ରୀମାନେ କହିଲେ—“ହେ ରାଜନ୍, ହେ ନିଷ୍ପାପ, ଜନ୍ମାଷ୍ଟମୀରେ, ହରିଙ୍କ ଜନ୍ମଦିନରେ, ତୁମେ ଭୋଜନ କରିବା ଉଚିତ ନୁହେଁ।”
King (rājā), followed by the women (striyaḥ)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Sandhi Resolution Notes: rājovāca → rājā + uvāca; annābhāvān → anna-abhāvāt (final -t before m); mamādyāśu → mama + adya + āśu; striya ūcuḥ → striyaḥ + ūcuḥ (visarga sandhi); rājanna → rājan (voc.); tvayānagha → tvayā + anagha.
FAQs
It references Janmāṣṭamī, the sacred observance commemorating the birth of Hari (commonly identified with Vishnu/Krishna), during which fasting or abstaining from food is enjoined.
First the king speaks, lamenting that without food his life may end; then the women respond, advising that he should not eat because it is Janmāṣṭamī—framing abstinence as a dharmic vow rather than mere scarcity.
It underscores steadfastness in vrata-dharma: even under hardship or fear, one should honor sacred disciplines dedicated to Hari, prioritizing spiritual commitment over immediate bodily impulse.