Shloka 21
The Greatness of Śrī Rādhāṣṭamī
Rādhā’s Birth-Eighth Observance
तस्यास्तु वचनं श्रुत्वा परकार्यहितेरताः । आरेभिरे तदा वक्तुं वैष्णवा व्रततत्पराः
tasyāstu vacanaṃ śrutvā parakāryahiteratāḥ | ārebhire tadā vaktuṃ vaiṣṇavā vratatatparāḥ
Tendo ouvido suas palavras, aqueles vaiṣṇavas—dedicados ao bem e ao benefício dos assuntos alheios e firmes em seus votos—começaram então a falar.
Narrator (contextual; the verse reports the Vaiṣṇavas beginning to speak after hearing a woman’s words)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तस्यास्तु = तस्याः तु; परकार्यहितेरताः = पर-कार्य-हित-ईरताः; व्रततत्पराः = व्रत-तत्पराः
FAQs
It emphasizes parahita—being engaged in the welfare of others—along with steadfastness in vrata (religious vows/observances).
It portrays true vow-keeping as not merely ritual discipline but as a disposition that supports beneficial speech and action for others.
The verse is narrated in third person; it reports that the Vaiṣṇavas began to speak after hearing “her” words, rather than giving direct speech from a named character.