Shloka 18
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 ||
கணவன் இவ்வாறு கூற, புதுத் தங்க நிறமுடைய, நிறைந்த பால் மார்புகளையுடைய அவள் கூறினாள்— “இருபிறப்போரின் அரசன் (சந்திரன்) போன்ற முகமுடையவரே! உமது திருப்திக்காக நான் இந்த விரதத்தை அனுஷ்டிப்பேன்।”
Narrator (Purana narrator describing the woman’s reply within the story)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shringara
FAQs
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.