Brahmā’s Discourse to Mohinī
Harivāsara, Desire, and the Satya-Test of Rukmāṅgada
या वधूर्दर्शयेदंगं विवृतं श्वशुरस्य हि । पाणिपादाहता राजन् क्रिमिभक्ष्या भवेत्तु सा । वधूहस्तेन यः पापः पादशौचं करोति हि ॥ १९ ॥
yā vadhūrdarśayedaṃgaṃ vivṛtaṃ śvaśurasya hi | pāṇipādāhatā rājan krimibhakṣyā bhavettu sā | vadhūhastena yaḥ pāpaḥ pādaśaucaṃ karoti hi || 19 ||
या वधूः श्वशुरस्य पुरतो विवृतमङ्गं दर्शयेत्, सा पाणिपादाहता सती क्रिमिभक्ष्या भवेत्, राजन्। वधूहस्तेन यः पापः पादशौचं करोति सः अपि दोषभाग्॥
Narada (addressing a King)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
It stresses sadācāra (ethical restraint) within the household, teaching that violating modesty and proper boundaries in family relations leads to severe karmic consequences.
By underscoring purity of conduct (śauca) and self-control as supports for sattva and devotional life; bhakti is protected when household behavior aligns with dharma rather than indulgence or impropriety.
It highlights śauca as a practical dharma rule relevant to ritual cleanliness and daily conduct (ācāra), a foundation for proper karma-kāṇḍa observances even though no specific Vedāṅga technicality is taught in this verse.