Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 76

Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa

Devanagari script

मंडूकं नकुलं काकं वराहं मूषकं तथा । मार्जाराजाविकं श्वानं हत्वा कुक्कुटकं तथा ॥ ७६ ॥

Transliteration

maṃḍūkaṃ nakulaṃ kākaṃ varāhaṃ mūṣakaṃ tathā | mārjārājāvikaṃ śvānaṃ hatvā kukkuṭakaṃ tathā || 76 ||

Translation

من قتل ضفدعًا، أو نمسًا، أو غرابًا، أو خنزيرًا بريًّا، أو فأرًا؛ وكذلك من قتل قطًّا، أو معزًا، أو كلبًا، وأيضًا ديكًا—(فقد لحقته خطيئة تستوجب الكفّارة).

Word by Word

• मण्डूकम्: a frog
• मण्डूकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मण्डूक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• नकुलम्: a mongoose
• नकुलम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नकुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• काकम्: a crow
• काकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वराहम्: a boar
• वराहम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वराह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• मूषकम्: a mouse/rat
• मूषकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूषक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तथा: also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/तुल्यतार्थक (also/likewise)

• मार्जार-आविकम्: a cat and a sheep (pair)
• मार्जार-आविकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्जार (प्रातिपदिक) + आविक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (मार्जारश्च आविकश्च)

• श्वानम्: a dog
• श्वानम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्वान् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• हत्वा: having killed
• हत्वा: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल/Preceding action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (absolutive/gerund); ‘having killed’

• कुक्कुटकम्: a rooster/chicken
• कुक्कुटकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुक्कुटक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• तथा: also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (also)

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with Sanatkumara tradition; verse lists objects of prayashchitta)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in Narada Purana?

It underscores the karmic gravity of himsā (violence) even toward common animals, teaching that dharma requires accountability and prescribed expiation (prāyaścitta) to purify the doer.

How does this verse explain the path of devotion (Bhakti)?

By emphasizing non-violence and moral restraint, it supports bhakti’s ethical foundation: devotion to the Lord is strengthened when one avoids harm and rectifies faults through dharmic atonement.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) is implied—this verse belongs to a prāyaścitta framework where specific acts (like killing certain creatures) correspond to specific expiatory rites described in dharma-ritual manuals.