Pātivratya-kathana
The Narrative of the Pativrata
बाह्याभ्यंगविहीनाहं संस्थास्ये दिनसंचयम् । जीवतां रोगहीनो हि भर्ता मे शरदां शतम् ॥ ८१ ॥
bāhyābhyaṃgavihīnāhaṃ saṃsthāsye dinasaṃcayam | jīvatāṃ rogahīno hi bhartā me śaradāṃ śatam || 81 ||
“బాహ్య అభ్యంగం (నూనె మర్దన) లేక నేను రోజురోజుకు క్షీణిస్తాను. నేను జీవించి ఉండగా నా భర్త రోగరహితుడై శత శరదులు (వంద సంవత్సరాలు) జీవించుగాక.”
A devoted wife (pativratā) speaking (narrative voice within Uttara-Bhaga Mahatmya context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
It expresses vrata-minded self-restraint and self-sacrifice for another’s welfare, framing bodily austerity as a dharmic offering directed toward the husband’s ārogya (freedom from disease) and dīrghāyu (long life).
Bhakti here appears as steadfast dedication (niṣṭhā) and loving intention: the speaker accepts personal hardship while praying for the beloved’s well-being, reflecting devotion expressed through vow, prayer, and faithful conduct.
A practical takeaway aligns with Kalpa (ritual discipline) and Dharmaśāstra-style vrata practice: regulated abstinence (e.g., from abhyaṅga) is treated as a vow-component, coupled with a longevity benediction ('śaradaḥ śatam').