Shloka 30
The Aśūnyaśayana Vow: Expiation, Viṣṇu’s Theophany, and Liberation for Divyā Devī
भव ज्ञानपरा नित्यं कुरु व्रतमनुत्तमम् । अशून्यशयनं पुण्यं व्रतं पापप्रणाशकम्
bhava jñānaparā nityaṃ kuru vratamanuttamam | aśūnyaśayanaṃ puṇyaṃ vrataṃ pāpapraṇāśakam
จงตั้งมั่นในญาณอันเป็นธรรมอยู่เสมอ และปฏิบัติวรตอันยอดยิ่งเป็นนิตย์ วรตอันศักดิ์สิทธิ์ชื่อ “อศูนยศยน” คือไม่บรรทมเดียวดาย เป็นบุญกุศลและทำลายบาปทั้งปวง
Unspecified (context needed from surrounding verses to identify the dialogue pair)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: व्रतमनुत्तमम् = व्रतम् + अनुत्तमम्; अशून्यशयनम् = अ + शून्य + शयनम् (नञ्-तत्पुरुष); पापप्रणाशकम् = पाप + प्रणाशकम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष).
FAQs
Aśūnyaśayana literally means “not sleeping on an empty bed.” In vrata-literature it is presented as a meritorious observance, generally implying disciplined household conduct and restraint, and is praised here as sin-destroying.
The verse pairs inner orientation—being devoted to jñāna—with outer discipline—undertaking a vow—indicating that ethical/religious practice is meant to be grounded in spiritual understanding, not mere ritual.
It emphasizes consistency (“always”) and self-regulation through a concrete vow, presenting disciplined living as a means to cultivate merit and reduce the burden of past wrongdoing.