The Exposition of the Saptamī Vow Observed Across Twelve Months
Saptamī-vrata-prakāśana
मार्तंडाख्यं व्रतं नाम कथयंति द्विजाः परे । एकमेवेति च प्रोक्तमेकदैवतया बुधैः ॥ ५५ ॥
mārtaṃḍākhyaṃ vrataṃ nāma kathayaṃti dvijāḥ pare | ekameveti ca proktamekadaivatayā budhaiḥ || 55 ||
有些博学的两次生者讲述一名为“摩尔坦达誓(Mārtaṇḍa-vrata)”的誓戒。智者亦称其为“唯此一誓”,因为它以一位神祇为唯一所依而修持。
Narada (teaching in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)
Vrata: Mārtaṇḍa-vrata (alternate naming/tradition)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
It highlights a key rule of vrata-dharma: an observance becomes spiritually coherent and effective when it is performed with ekadaivata—exclusive focus on one chosen deity—here identified as Mārtaṇḍa (the Sun).
By stressing ‘one deity’ (ekadaivata), the verse points to single-pointed devotion and steadiness of worship, a bhakti principle where the mind is not scattered among multiple objects during a vow.
It reflects ritual discipline (kalpa-oriented practice): defining a vrata by its devatā-niyama (fixed presiding deity) is a practical rule for correct performance and consistent results.