Shloka 31
वैवस्वतो हर्षमुपाश्रयेच्च सलेखको मे व्रतभंग एव । किं तेन जातेन दुरात्मना हि ददाति हर्षं रिपुसुंदरीणाम् ॥ ३१ ॥
vaivasvato harṣamupāśrayecca salekhako me vratabhaṃga eva | kiṃ tena jātena durātmanā hi dadāti harṣaṃ ripusuṃdarīṇām || 31 ||
वैवस्वतात् (यमात्) किं हर्षमुपाश्रयेयम्? मम तु व्रतभङ्ग एव सलेखको लिख्यते। किं तेन दुरात्मना जातेन, यो रिपुसुन्दरीणां हर्षं ददाति॥
Narrator/voice within the Adhyaya (Uttara-Bhaga narrative)
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"raudra","secondary_rasa":"bhayanaka","emotional_journey":"A bitter refusal to ‘take joy’ in Yama’s domain, shifting to self-reproach and condemnation of vow-breaking as recorded wrongdoing, ending in contempt for the wicked who gladden enemies."}
FAQs
It warns that breaking a sacred vow (vrata-bhaṅga) is not a trivial lapse: one’s actions are “recorded,” and seeking comfort in death or fate (Vaivasvata/Yama) cannot erase moral accountability.
By implication, true devotion requires steadiness in vows and discipline; pleasure that strengthens hostile forces is portrayed as self-defeating, whereas bhakti aligns conduct with dharma and self-restraint.
The verse emphasizes vrata-dharma (ritual vow discipline) and karmic accountability rather than a specific Vedanga; practically, it teaches careful observance of vowed observances and avoidance of actions that lead to demerit.