Shloka 23

पुण्यमाश्वयुजे मासि विशोकद्वादशीव्रतम् । दशम्यां लघुभुग्विद्वान्प्रारभेत यमेन तु

puṇyamāśvayuje māsi viśokadvādaśīvratam | daśamyāṃ laghubhugvidvānprārabheta yamena tu

ਆਸ਼ਵਯੁਜ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਿਸ਼ੋਕਾ ਦ੍ਵਾਦਸ਼ੀ ਦਾ ਪੁੰਨਮਈ ਵਰਤ ਹੈ। ਦਸਮੀ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਦਵਾਨ ਹਲਕਾ ਭੋਜਨ ਕਰਕੇ ਅਤੇ ਯਮ (ਸੰਯਮ) ਨਾਲ ਇਸ ਦਾ ਆਰੰਭ ਕਰੇ।

puṇyammeritorious/holy
puṇyam:
Visheshana (विशेषण)
TypeAdjective
Rootpuṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (प्रथमा/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying 'vratam'
āśvayujein Āśvayuja (month)
āśvayuje:
Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootāśvayuja (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन); month-name used adjectivally
māsiin the month
māsi:
Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootmāsa (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)
viśoka-dvādaśī-vratamthe Viśokā-Dvādaśī vow
viśoka-dvādaśī-vratam:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootviśoka (प्रातिपदिक) + dvādaśī (प्रातिपदिक) + vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Nominative/Accusative (प्रथमा/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); 'the Viśokā Dvādaśī vow'
daśamyāmon the tenth (lunar day)
daśamyām:
Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
TypeNoun
Rootdaśamī (प्रातिपदिक)
FormFeminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी/7), Singular (एकवचन)
laghu-bhukeating lightly
laghu-bhuk:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeAdjective
Rootlaghu (प्रातिपदिक) + bhuj (धातु)
FormPresent participial/agent-noun formation (कृदन्त, 'bhuk' = eater), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन); 'one who eats lightly'
vidvāna learned man
vidvān:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootvidvas (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Singular (एकवचन)
prārabhetashould begin
prārabheta:
Kriya (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootpra-√rabh (धातु)
FormOptative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)
yamenawith restraint (yama)
yamena:
Karana (करण)
TypeNoun
Rootyama (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular (एकवचन); here 'with restraint/discipline' (yama)
tuindeed/but
tu:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
TypeIndeclinable
Roottu (अव्यय)
FormParticle (तु = contrast/emphasis)

Unspecified (narratorial injunction within the Adhyāya context)

Concept: A structured vrata begins before the main tithi; wise restraint and light diet on Daśamī prepare the practitioner for the auspicious Viśokā Dvādaśī, aimed at becoming ‘vi-śoka’ (free from sorrow).

Application: Plan spiritual disciplines with preparation: reduce indulgence, simplify food, and cultivate yama/niyama before the main observance; treat the day prior as mental training, not merely dietary change.

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A calm household shrine scene in Āśvayuja: the practitioner marks Daśamī on a palm-leaf calendar, taking a small, simple meal and setting aside rich foods. Nearby, a clean altar awaits Dvādaśī—water pot, lamps, flowers—suggesting the transition from preparation to sorrowless devotion.","primary_figures":["a vrata-observer (householder or ascetic)","a family member assisting (optional)","a Vishnu shrine presence (icon or śālagrāma implied)"],"setting":"home shrine or small temple corner with calendar/panchāṅga, lamp, water pot, offering plates","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["marigold orange","lamp-flame gold","white jasmine","indigo cloth","copper brown"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a devotee before a Vishnu shrine preparing for Viśokā Dvādaśī in Āśvayuja; palm-leaf calendar showing Daśamī, simple meal bowl, lamps and flowers arranged; gold leaf on the deity aura and lamp flames, rich reds/greens, ornate borders and jewelry details.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: domestic devotional preparation—devotee consulting a panchāṅga, taking a light meal, arranging flowers for the next day; delicate interiors, soft morning light, refined textiles, gentle expressions, lyrical simplicity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: stylized devotee and shrine with bold outlines; ritual vessels and lamp prominent; warm red/yellow/green palette, temple-wall aesthetic, clear iconographic cues of disciplined preparation.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a Vaishnava vrata-preparation tableau framed by lotus and tulasi borders; central shrine with lamps, devotee marking Daśamī; deep blue background with gold floral filigree, symmetrical arrangement of offerings and decorative borders."}

Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["morning birds","soft bell at the shrine","water poured into a copper pot","gentle mantra japa","quiet household ambience"]}

Sandhi Resolution Notes: Sandhi resolved: puṇyamāśvayuje → puṇyam + āśvayuje; laghubhugvidvān → laghu-bhuk + vidvān.

FAQs

It is a religious observance (vrata) associated with the Dvādaśī (12th lunar day), described as meritorious in the month of Āśvayuja, and framed as a practice that removes sorrow (vi-śoka, “free from grief”) through disciplined conduct.

The verse presents the vow as a multi-day discipline: preparation begins on Daśamī with dietary lightness and restraint (yama), leading into the primary Dvādaśī observance.

The verse highlights self-regulation as the foundation of sacred practice: wisdom is shown through moderation in food (laghu-bhuk) and disciplined restraint (yama), not merely through ritual performance.