Shloka 53
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
पुष्यादौ यस्त्रयोदश्यां कृत्वा नक्तमथो पुनः । अशोकं कांचनं दद्यादिक्षुयुक्तं दशांगुलम्
puṣyādau yastrayodaśyāṃ kṛtvā naktamatho punaḥ | aśokaṃ kāṃcanaṃ dadyādikṣuyuktaṃ daśāṃgulam
ผู้ใดเริ่มตั้งแต่ฤกษ์ปุษยะ แล้วในวันตรีโยทศีถือ “นกตะ” คือฉันเฉพาะยามค่ำ จากนั้นในกาลที่กำหนดถวายอศोकทองคำพร้อมอ้อยยาวสิบองคุลี ผู้นั้นย่อมได้บุญกุศล
Unspecified (context not provided; likely narrator/teacher voice within the chapter’s vrata-dāna instructions).
Concept: Merit arises from coordinated vrata discipline (nakta on trayodaśī) and symbolic donation (golden aśoka with sugarcane of specified measure).
Application: Adopt periodic restraint (light night meal) on chosen sacred days; pair self-discipline with tangible charity, keeping promises measurable and specific.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Under a clear night sky marked by the Puṣya constellation, a devotee completes a modest night-meal and prepares a donation: a small golden aśoka emblem placed beside a fresh sugarcane segment measured carefully to ten finger-breadths. The scene emphasizes ritual exactness—measuring, counting, and offering—while the heavens look quietly approving.","primary_figures":["devotee observer","brāhmaṇa recipient (optional)","celestial sky with nakṣatra motifs"],"setting":"courtyard with a low wooden measuring stick, ritual tray, sugarcane, and a small gold aśoka token; night sky visible","lighting_mood":"moonlit","color_palette":["midnight blue","silver","sugarcane green","antique gold","charcoal black"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: moonlit courtyard with stylized star motifs; devotee holding a measured sugarcane piece and offering a small golden aśoka emblem; gold leaf used for the aśoka and star accents; rich maroon-green textiles, ornate borders, traditional iconographic clarity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: lyrical night scene with delicate stars; devotee seated near a small lamp, measuring sugarcane to ten finger-breadths; a tiny golden aśoka token on a tray; cool blues and silvers, fine linework, gentle realism in plants and textiles.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines—devotee, sugarcane, and gold aśoka symbol rendered with flat color fields; stylized moon and nakṣatra signs above; red/yellow/green accents against deep blue night, decorative border patterns.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate night-sky border filled with stylized stars and lotuses; central offering tray with sugarcane and golden aśoka motif; deep indigo background with gold highlights, intricate floral framing and symmetrical layout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["night insects","soft wind through leaves","single temple lamp crackle","distant bell","measuring tap on wood"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: यस्त्रयोदश्यां = यः + त्रयोदश्याम्; दद्यादिक्षुयुक्तं = दद्यात् + इक्षुयुक्तम्; दशांगुलम् = दश + अङ्गुलम्
FAQs
It prescribes observing trayodaśī with a naktavrata (eating only at night) and making a specific donation: a golden ‘aśoka’ offering accompanied by sugarcane of ten aṅgulas in measure.
‘Puṣyādau’ indicates the observance is connected to a calendrical timing beginning with the Puṣya nakṣatra (asterism), highlighting the Purāṇic linkage of vows and gifts to auspicious lunar markers.
It emphasizes disciplined restraint (regulated eating/fasting) paired with generosity (dāna), presenting merit as arising from both self-control and charitable giving.