Shloka 13
Mohinī-prashna
The Question about Mohinī
अग्निमन्तो न विप्रा हि मन्यंते समुपोषणम् । वेदबाह्य कथं धर्मं भवांश्चरितुमिच्छति ॥ १३ ॥
agnimanto na viprā hi manyaṃte samupoṣaṇam | vedabāhya kathaṃ dharmaṃ bhavāṃścaritumicchati || 13 ||
Quả thật, các Bà-la-môn giữ lửa tế tự không tán thành việc nhịn ăn hoàn toàn. Vậy sao ngài lại muốn thực hành một pháp dharma nằm ngoài Veda?
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada in an instructive dialogue tone)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It stresses that religious austerities (like fasting) must remain consistent with Vedic dharma—especially for those bound to daily fire-ritual obligations—so that practice is disciplined rather than merely extreme.
By implying that devotion should be practiced within dharma: bhakti is strengthened when vows and austerities support (not violate) one’s prescribed duties, avoiding “non-Vedic” displays that disrupt legitimate obligations.
It points to Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Dharma-śāstra application: an āhitāgni’s daily agnihotra and related rites require regulated diet and conduct, so total fasting may be inappropriate unless the Vedic rule-set permits it.