Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 134

The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release

Devanagari script

राजा कल्माषपादस्तु निजरुपं समास्थितः । जगाम महतीं चिन्तां दृष्ट्वा तान्मुक्तिगानधान् ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

rājā kalmāṣapādastu nijarupaṃ samāsthitaḥ | jagāma mahatīṃ cintāṃ dṛṣṭvā tānmuktigānadhān || 34 ||

Translation

وأما الملك كَلْمَاشَبَادَة، فلما استعاد صورته الحقيقية، وقع في همٍّ عظيم إذ رأى أولئك الحكماء منصرفين إلى ترنيمة الخلاص (موكشا).

Word by Word

• rājā: the king
• rājā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative, 1st), Ekavacana

• kalmāṣapādaḥ: Kalmāṣapāda
• kalmāṣapādaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kalmāṣa + pāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; proper name; samāsa: kalmāṣa (spotted/blackened) + pāda (foot)

• tu: but, indeed
• tu: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्ध/Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; nipāta (particle) indicating contrast/emphasis

• nija-rūpam: his own form
• nija-rūpam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nija + rūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakaliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana

• samāsthitaḥ: having assumed / having taken (up)
• samāsthitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sthā (स्था धातु) + sam-ā- (upasarga) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Bhūtakāla-kṛdanta (Past participle), Kta (क्त); Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; meaning 'having assumed/being established in'

• jagāma: went (entered into)
• jagāma: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gam (गम् धातु)
• Form: Liṭ lakāra (Perfect), Prathama puruṣa (3rd person), Ekavacana (Singular)

• mahatīm: great
• mahatīm: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (Feminine), Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of 'cintām'

• cintām: anxiety, worry
• cintām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: cintā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen
• dṛṣṭvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Converb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dṛś (दृश् धातु) (कृदन्त)
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund), Ktvā (क्त्वा) pratyaya; pūrvakāla-kriyā (prior action)

• tān: them
• tān: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Bahuvacana; sarvanāma

• mukti-gāna-dhān: bearing songs of liberation
• mukti-gāna-dhān: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mukti + gāna + dhān (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā vibhakti (Accusative, 2nd), Bahuvacana; bahu-pada tatpuruṣa: mukti-gāna (song of liberation) qualifying dhān (holding/bearing)

Speaker

Suta (narrator) [contextual attribution within Purana narration]

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Kalmashapada

FAQs

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

It shows the turning-point after a transformation: once the king regains his true state, he is stirred into serious inner inquiry when confronted with seekers devoted to moksha, indicating awakening of spiritual urgency (mumukṣutva).

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

By highlighting the impact of holy company and moksha-oriented discourse, it implies that listening to liberating teachings and associating with spiritually focused devotees is a key catalyst that matures bhakti into longing for liberation.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Śikṣā) is directly taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is the Purāṇic method of spiritual progress through satsanga and śravaṇa (hearing liberating teachings).