Mohinī-Ākhyāna: Rukmāṅgada’s Refusal to Eat on Harivāsara
Ekādaśī
राजोवाच । कीर्तिर्नश्यतु मे पुत्र ह्यनृती वा भवाम्यहम् । गतो वा नरकं घोरं कथं भोक्ष्ये हरेर्दिने ॥ १ ॥
rājovāca | kīrtirnaśyatu me putra hyanṛtī vā bhavāmyaham | gato vā narakaṃ ghoraṃ kathaṃ bhokṣye harerdine || 1 ||
بادشاہ نے کہا—اے بیٹے! میری شہرت مٹ جائے، میں جھوٹا بھی ٹھہروں، یا ہولناک دوزخ میں چلا جاؤں؛ مگر ہری کے مقدّس دن میں کھانا کیسے کھا سکتا ہوں؟
King (Rāja)
Vrata: Ekadashi (Hari’s day / Harivāsara)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: vira
It elevates Hari-dina observance above worldly reputation and even personal consequence, portraying devotion as unwavering commitment to Viṣṇu’s sacred vow-days.
Bhakti is shown as steadfastness: the devotee refuses actions (like eating on Hari’s day) that violate devotion, even if it costs fame or invites suffering.
Primarily Kalpa (ritual discipline) is implied—rules of vrata/fasting and sacred-day conduct—rather than technical grammar or astrology.