Vānaprastha-dharma and Tapas: Śiva–Umā Saṃvāda
Forest-Stage Discipline and Austerity
' नीलषण्डप्रमोक्षेण अमावास्यां तिलोदकै:ः
nīlaṣaṇḍa-pramokṣeṇa amāvāsyāṁ tilodakaiḥ
“நீல நிறக் காளையை விடுதலை செய்து, அமாவாசையில் எள்ளுக் கலந்த நீரால் தர்ப்பணம் செய்தால்…”
शक्र उवाच
The verse highlights dharmic merit gained through timely, prescribed observances—especially Amāvāsyā offerings of sesame-water—emphasizing responsibility toward ancestors and the ethical value of disciplined ritual duty.
Indra (Śakra) is describing a specific religious practice: the ‘release’ (pramokṣa) of a nīlaṣaṇḍa as part of an observance, together with Amāvāsyā sesame-water offerings, presenting these acts as sources of spiritual merit within the broader instruction on dharma.