Shloka 20
Mohinī-ākhyāna: The Trial of Ekādaśī and the King’s Satya-saṅkalpa
भवद्भिर्नोचितं वक्तुं प्रतिकूलं व्रतापहम् । असंपरीक्ष्य ये दद्युः प्रायश्चित्तं द्विजातयः ॥ २० ॥
bhavadbhirnocitaṃ vaktuṃ pratikūlaṃ vratāpaham | asaṃparīkṣya ye dadyuḥ prāyaścittaṃ dvijātayaḥ || 20 ||
ท่านทั้งหลายไม่ควรกล่าวถ้อยคำที่ขัดต่อธรรมะและทำลายวรตะ ผู้เป็นทวิชที่กำหนดการชดใช้บาปโดยไม่ไต่สวนก่อน ย่อมประพฤติผิด
Narada (in dialogue on dharma/prāyaścitta principles)
Vrata: none (talks about vows generally: vrata-apaha = vow-destroying)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It teaches that dharma must be applied with discernment: penance should heal a fault, not become a new harm that breaks one’s vow and spiritual discipline.
By protecting vows and disciplined practice, it safeguards the devotee’s steady sādhana; careless prescriptions that disrupt vrata weaken consistent worship and remembrance.
It emphasizes dharma-vicāra (case-based examination) aligned with śāstra and ritual procedure—an applied discipline closely tied to Kalpa (ritual method) and Smṛti-based adjudication.