Shloka 38
The Account of Kāṣṭhīlā (Kāṣṭhīlā-ākhyāna) within the Mohinī Narrative
कीदृशं वदसे वाक्यं येन दुःखं भवेन्मम । भर्तुर्मे सत्यकरणे न दुःखं जायते क्वचित् । आत्मनो निधने वापि पुत्रस्य निधनेऽपि वा । भर्तुरर्थे प्रकुर्वंत्या राज्यनाशे न मे व्यथा ॥ ३८ ॥
kīdṛśaṃ vadase vākyaṃ yena duḥkhaṃ bhavenmama | bharturme satyakaraṇe na duḥkhaṃ jāyate kvacit | ātmano nidhane vāpi putrasya nidhane'pi vā | bharturarthe prakurvaṃtyā rājyanāśe na me vyathā || 38 ||
ท่านกล่าวถ้อยคำเช่นไรเล่า จึงจะทำให้ความโศกเกิดแก่ข้า? ในการธำรงสัตย์ปฏิญาณของสามี ข้าไม่เคยมีความทุกข์เลย แม้ต้องถึงความตายของข้าหรือของบุตร—เมื่อกระทำเพื่อประโยชน์ของสามี แม้ความพินาศแห่งราชอาณาจักรก็มิใช่ความระทมแก่ข้า
A devoted wife (pativratā) speaking within the narrative of Uttara-Bhaga
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It glorifies dharma rooted in satya (truthfulness) and niṣṭhā (steadfast resolve): the speaker treats the husband’s vow as a sacred obligation surpassing personal loss, presenting self-sacrifice as a purifier of intention and action.
Though not explicitly naming a deity, it mirrors bhakti’s core mood—single-pointed loyalty and surrender—by showing how love and duty can become unwavering dedication, where fear of loss does not shake one’s chosen dharmic commitment.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught directly; the practical takeaway is dharma-application: satya-karaṇa (fulfilling a vow) and vrata-like firmness in conduct, which underlies ritual reliability and ethical discipline in Vedic life.