Shloka 125
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
माघे निश्यार्द्रवासाः स्यात्सप्तम्यां गोप्रदो भवेत् । दिविकल्पं वसित्वेह राजा स्यात्पवनव्रतम्
māghe niśyārdravāsāḥ syātsaptamyāṃ goprado bhavet | divikalpaṃ vasitveha rājā syātpavanavratam
ମାଘ ମାସରେ ରାତିରେ ଆର୍ଦ୍ର (ଭିଜା) ବସ୍ତ୍ର ପିନ୍ଧିବା ଉଚିତ; ସପ୍ତମୀ ତିଥିରେ ଗୋଦାନ କରିବା ଉଚିତ। ଏଠାରେ ଦେବତୁଲ୍ୟ ଭାବେ ବସି ରାଜା ହୁଏ—ଏହା ପବନବ୍ରତ।
Unspecified (context not provided; likely a narrator/teacher within the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa dialogue framework)
Concept: Elemental discipline—enduring cold and damp at night—paired with go-dāna yields both refined living ‘like the gods’ and tangible worldly sovereignty (rājya).
Application: Build resilience through small, safe austerities (comfort reduction) and balance them with generosity; treat prosperity as stewardship, not entitlement.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A Māgha night scene: the devotee stands wrapped in damp cloth, breath visible in the cold air, while wind moves through bare branches and ripples a nearby pond. At dawn on saptamī, a cow is gifted, and the scene subtly shifts to a regal vision—an anointed king seated under a canopy, suggesting the vrata’s promised worldly rise.","primary_figures":["Devotee","Personified Pavana/Vāyu (subtle, as swirling wind form)","Cow (for dāna)","Future kingly figure (visionary)"],"setting":"Winter village edge or hermitage courtyard with a small water body; sparse trees, simple huts, and a ritual space marked by lamps.","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["winter indigo","mist gray","pale saffron dawn","earth brown","milk white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: split-scene composition—left: damp-clad devotee under moonlight with stylized wind swirls; right: dawn go-dāna and a regal coronation vignette; gold leaf on royal ornaments and halo-like aura of Pavana; rich reds/greens in borders, ornate arch framing, gem-studded details.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: crisp winter night with delicate mist; the devotee’s damp garment rendered with fine lines; moonlight reflecting on water; dawn scene of cow donation with gentle human expressions; a faint, poetic overlay of kingship imagery in pale washes.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: dynamic wind motifs as curling patterns; bold outlines for the devotee and cow; strong color blocks with indigo background and warm dawn band; stylized royal figure with traditional ornaments; temple-wall symmetry and decorative borders.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: winter-night palette with ornate floral border; central figure in damp cloth, swirling wind patterns like textile motifs; cow donation framed by lotuses and peacocks; deep blues with gold highlights, intricate detailing reminiscent of Nathdwara textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["whistling wind","distant temple bell","night silence","soft cow bells","morning birds"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्यात् + सप्तम्याम् → स्यात्सप्तम्याम्; वसित्वा + इह → वसित्वेह (आ + इ → ए).
FAQs
It prescribes a Māgha observance of wearing damp garments at night (niśy-ārdra-vāsa) as an austerity associated with seasonal discipline and vow-keeping.
Go-dāna (gift of a cow) is presented as a high meritorious charity; performing it on the seventh lunar day (Saptamī) is said to yield elevated worldly and religious results.
It emphasizes disciplined austerity (vrata) combined with generosity (dāna), teaching that self-restraint and charitable giving together are central pillars of dharma and are believed to bring both spiritual merit and worldly prosperity.