Shloka 68
Vrata–Dāna Compendium at Puṣkara: Puṣpavāhana’s Account and the Ṣaṣṭhī-vrata Purification Rite
एकभक्तं नरः कुर्यादब्दमेकं विमत्सरः । व्रतांते विप्रमिथुनं पूज्यं धेनुत्रयान्वितम्
ekabhaktaṃ naraḥ kuryādabdamekaṃ vimatsaraḥ | vratāṃte vipramithunaṃ pūjyaṃ dhenutrayānvitam
ผู้ใดปราศจากความอิจฉา พึงรักษาวินัย “เอกภักตะ” ตลอดหนึ่งปี ครั้นสิ้นพรตแล้ว พึงบูชานอบน้อมพราหมณ์คู่หนึ่งผู้ควรสักการะ พร้อมด้วยโคสามตัว
Unspecified (narrative injunction in the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa context)
Concept: Austerity must be paired with amātsarya (freedom from envy) and culminate in honoring worthy recipients; restraint becomes dharma when it flowers into respect and giving.
Application: Adopt a sustainable discipline (one mindful meal daily or periodic simplicity) while actively training the mind away from comparison/envy; end any personal vow with gratitude and generosity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a quiet courtyard after a year of restraint, the vrata-observer offers seats and respectful worship to a brāhmaṇa couple, placing flowers and a cloth at their feet. Three cows stand nearby with painted horns and garlands, embodying the vow’s completion as generosity rather than mere self-denial.","primary_figures":["vratin (devotee)","brāhmaṇa couple (vipra-mithuna)","three cows"],"setting":"Home altar courtyard with banana-leaf decorations, offering trays, water vessels, and a small fire or lamp for udyāpana.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["warm white","marigold orange","cowhide brown","vermillion red","leaf green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: udyāpana scene—devotee honoring a seated brāhmaṇa couple with pādya/arghya and flowers; three garlanded cows beside them; gold-leaf highlights on ornaments, vessels, and halos; rich reds/greens, ornate pillars, gem-like detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined domestic courtyard—soft textiles, delicate gestures of respect, brāhmaṇa couple serene; three cows calmly arranged; subtle shading, cool-warm balance, lyrical realism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines—central devotee in namaskāra, brāhmaṇa couple seated, three cows in profile; patterned borders, natural pigment palette with strong reds/yellows/greens.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ceremonial completion framed by floral borders; cows as auspicious motifs; devotee offering flowers and cloth; intricate lotus vines, deep blue background with gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["mantra murmurs","clinking of copper vessels","cow bells","temple bell","quiet silence after offerings"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: kuryādabdamekaṃ → kuryāt + abdam + ekam; vratāṃte → vrata-ante; dhenutrayānvitam → dhenu-traya-anvitam.
FAQs
Ekabhakta is a vrata-discipline in which one eats only once per day, typically with restraint and purity, undertaken here for a full year.
The vow is framed as an ethical-spiritual practice: inner purity (absence of jealousy) is presented as essential for the merit of austerity and charity.
The verse prescribes honoring a pair of Brahmins (vipramithunam) and associating the offering with three cows (dhenutrayānvitam), indicating concluding charity and reverence.