Shloka 131

The Account of Kāṣṭhīlā (Kāṣṭhīlā-ākhyāna) within the Mohinī Narrative

Devanagari script

पितृदेवार्चनं कर्तुः काष्ठग्रावस्थितस्य यत् । गोहीनां महिषीं धर्तुर्भिन्नकांस्ये च भुंजतः ॥ १३१ ॥

Transliteration

pitṛdevārcanaṃ kartuḥ kāṣṭhagrāvasthitasya yat | gohīnāṃ mahiṣīṃ dharturbhinnakāṃsye ca bhuṃjataḥ || 131 ||

Translation

عبادةُ الأسلاف (Pitṛ) والآلهة (Deva) التي يؤديها من يقف على خشبٍ أو حجرٍ وقت العبادة، ومن يقتني جاموسةً في موضعٍ لا بقر فيه، ومن يأكل في إناءٍ برونزيٍّ متشقّق—كلّ ذلك مُعلَنٌ غيرَ لائقٍ أو عديمَ الثمرة.

Word by Word

• पितृदेवार्चनम्: worship of ancestors and gods
• पितृदेवार्चनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक) + देव (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्चन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (पितॄणां देवानां च अर्चनम्)

• कर्तुः: of the doer/performer
• कर्तुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृ (धातु) → कर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• काष्ठग्रावस्थितस्य: of one standing on wood/stone
• काष्ठग्रावस्थितस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काष्ठ (प्रातिपदिक) + ग्राव (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (काष्ठे ग्राव्णि वा स्थितः)

• यत्: that which
• यत्: Anvaya-marker (सम्बन्धसूचक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन

• गोहीनाम्: of those devoid of cows
• गोहीनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक) + हीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (गोभिः हीनाः)

• महिषीम्: a buffalo-cow (female buffalo)
• महिषीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महिषी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• धर्तुः: of the holder/keeper
• धर्तुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धृ (धातु) → धर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• भिन्नकांस्ये: in a cracked bronze vessel
• भिन्नकांस्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिन्न (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक) + कांस्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (भिन्नं कांस्यं यस्मिन्)

• च: and
• च: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• भुञ्जतः: of one who eats
• भुञ्जतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भुज् (धातु) → भुञ्जत् (कृदन्त, शतृ-प्रत्यय)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्त (Present middle/active participle form in usage), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन; ‘of one who eats’

Speaker

Suta (narrator) recounting Narada Purana’s dharma-vidhi in Uttara-Bhaga

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Pitrs
• Devas

FAQs

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

It stresses that ritual worship (deva-arcana and pitṛ-arcana) is not only about intention but also about proper ācāra (right conditions, cleanliness, and suitability of materials); defects in conduct and utensils are said to obstruct or diminish the fruit of the rite.

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

Bhakti here is expressed as reverent discipline: honoring Devas and Pitṛs with careful observance. The verse implies that devotion should be accompanied by respectful, non-negligent practice rather than casual or careless worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa/Śrauta–Smārta ritual sensibilities (a Vedāṅga-adjacent domain): suitability of vessels, bodily posture/placement during worship, and avoidance of defective implements—practical rules that preserve ritual correctness.