The Discourse of Rukmāṅgada
Prabodhinī Ekādaśī, Kārtika-vrata, and Satya-dharma
सा चैवमुक्ता नवहेमवर्णा भर्त्रा तदा पीनपयोधरंगी । उवाच वाक्यं द्विजराजवक्त्राव्रतं चरिष्ये तव तुष्टिहेतोः ॥ १८ ॥
sā caivamuktā navahemavarṇā bhartrā tadā pīnapayodharaṃgī | uvāca vākyaṃ dvijarājavaktrāvrataṃ cariṣye tava tuṣṭihetoḥ || 18 ||
सा चैवमुक्ता भर्त्रा तदा नवहेमवर्णा पीनपयोधराङ्गी द्विजराजवक्त्रं तमुवाच— “तव तुष्टिहेतोर्व्रतमहं चरिष्यामि।”
Narrator (Purana narrator describing the woman’s reply within the story)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shringara
The verse highlights the dharmic principle of undertaking a vrata with sincerity and a clear intent; the woman’s resolve shows that disciplined observance (vrata-caryā) is a conscious spiritual act rooted in determination and purpose.
While the verse is framed as pleasing the husband, it reflects a broader bhakti ethic found in Purāṇic practice: devotion is expressed through willing, faithful observance of vows, where intention (tuṣṭi-hetoḥ) and steadiness are central.
The practical takeaway concerns Kalpa (ritual procedure) rather than a technical Vedāṅga lesson: a vrata is to be “carried out/observed” (cariṣye), implying regulated conduct, rules, and completion according to prescribed practice.