Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
दद्यात्कृतोपवासः स दिवि कल्पशतं वसेत् । तदंते राजराजस्स्यादश्वव्रतमिदं स्मृतम्
dadyātkṛtopavāsaḥ sa divi kalpaśataṃ vaset | tadaṃte rājarājassyādaśvavratamidaṃ smṛtam
เมื่อบำเพ็ญอุโบสถแล้ว หากถวายทานต่อไป ผู้นั้นย่อมพำนักในสวรรค์ตลอดร้อยกัลป์; ครั้นสิ้นกาลนั้นย่อมเป็นราชาเหนือราชา—วัตรนี้จดจำว่า “อัศวะ-วรตะ”
Unspecified (narratorial voice within Padma Purāṇa Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa)
Concept: Upavāsa (self-restraint) becomes spiritually potent when sealed by dāna; combined, they generate long-lasting heavenly enjoyment and eventual sovereign power.
Application: Pair personal austerity with generosity: fast or simplify consumption, then redirect saved resources toward meaningful charity; keep the intention pure and non-exploitative.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A disciplined votary, having completed a fast, offers a radiant horse-gift at a fire-altar while devas in the sky unfurl garlands. Above, a luminous svarga-city appears like a mirage of crystal towers, and in the far distance a coronation vision hints at ‘king of kings’ destiny.","primary_figures":["votary (vratin)","celestial devas","Agni (as altar-flame presence)","symbolic royal figure (future king)"],"setting":"Riverside yajña-vedi with kusa grass, kalasha pots, and a ceremonial horse motif; layered with a celestial skyline of svarga.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["sapphire blue","gold leaf","vermillion","ivory white","emerald green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a fasting votary presenting a ceremonial horse-gift beside a blazing yajña-altar, devas hovering with garlands, svarga-palaces in the background; heavy gold leaf halos, rich red-green textiles, gem-studded ornaments, ornate arch frame, traditional South Indian iconographic symmetry.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a serene riverside ritual scene with delicate linework—vratin offering the horse-gift, soft pastel sky opening into a translucent svarga-city; lyrical naturalism, refined faces, gentle hills and trees, cool blues and greens with fine gold accents.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines and earthy pigments—ritual altar, horse-gift, devas in stylized clouds; large expressive eyes, patterned garments, warm red-yellow-green palette with rhythmic decorative borders like temple wall art.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional tableau with lotus borders and celestial motifs—vratin and altar centered, devas above, ornate floral patterns, deep indigo background with gold highlights; intricate border work and symmetrical composition reminiscent of Nathdwara textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"celebratory","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["temple bells","conch shell","soft drone (tanpura)","crackling sacrificial fire"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: दद्यात् + कृतोपवासः → दद्यात्कृतोपवासः; तद् + अन्ते → तदंते (द् + अ → द); राजराजः + स्यात् → राजराजस्स्यात् (विसर्गसन्धि); स्यात् + अश्वव्रतम् → स्यादश्वव्रतम्; अश्वव्रतम् + इदम् → अश्वव्रतमिदम्.
The verse praises the combined observance of upavāsa (fasting) followed by dāna (charitable giving), presented as the essence of the Aśva-vrata.
It states a prolonged heavenly residence—“a hundred kalpas”—and thereafter attainment of supreme sovereignty, described as becoming a “king of kings.”
It emphasizes restraint (fasting/self-control) coupled with generosity (giving), suggesting that inner discipline should culminate in outward beneficence.