Shloka 41

Kāruṇya-stotra Phalaśruti; Dream-Darśana of Vāsudeva; Manifestation and Pratiṣṭhā of Jagannātha, Balabhadra (Ananta), and Subhadrā

Devanagari script

तयोः श्रुत्वा वचः सुभ्रु स तु राजा मुदान्वितः । बभाषे वचनान्याभ्यां मृदूनि मधुराणि च ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

tayoḥ śrutvā vacaḥ subhru sa tu rājā mudānvitaḥ | babhāṣe vacanānyābhyāṃ mṛdūni madhurāṇi ca || 41 ||

Translation

يا ذاتَ الحاجبينِ الحَسَنَين، لما سمعَ الملكُ كلامَ هذينِ الاثنين امتلأ فرحًا، فأجابَهما بألفاظٍ رقيقةٍ عذبة.

Word by Word

• तयोः: of those two
• तयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), द्विवचन; सम्बन्ध (of those two)

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial to main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √श्रु (धातु) + त्वा (क्त्वा)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive); पूर्वकाल (having heard)

• वचः: speech, words
• वचः: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कर्म

• सुभ्रु: O fair-browed one
• सुभ्रु: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Vocative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुभ्रू (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन; संबोधन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्ता

• तु: but, however
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वय-अर्थक निपात (contrastive particle)

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्ता (apposition to सः)

• मुदान्वितः: filled with joy
• मुदान्वितः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुदा+अन्वित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-आधारित विशेषण)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुष (मुदया अन्वितः = endowed with joy)

• बभाषे: spoke
• बभाषे: Kriya (क्रिया/Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भाष् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद-रूप (आत्मनेपदप्रयोगः अपि दृश्यते, अत्र पाठानुसारं)

• वचनानि: words, statements
• वचनानि: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; कर्म

• आभ्याम्: to/with those two
• आभ्याम्: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम्/तद्? (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विवचन, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental); करण (to/with those two persons)

• मृदूनि: gentle, soft
• मृदूनि: Karma (कर्म/Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मृदु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; विशेषण (to वचनानि)

• मधुराणि: sweet
• मधुराणि: Karma (कर्म/Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मधुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; विशेषण (to वचनानि)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic storyteller describing the king’s response)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It highlights dhārmic speech (sad-vākya): a ruler’s inner virtue is shown by responding with gentleness and sweetness, especially after hearing counsel—an essential mark of sattva and good governance in Purāṇic ethics.

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

While not naming bhakti directly, it models a key bhakti virtue—humble, pleasing speech toward others. Reverent listening and gentle reply cultivate purity of mind, which supports devotion to Vishnu and respectful conduct in sacred (tīrtha) settings.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Indirectly, it aligns with Śikṣā (proper articulation) and Vyākaraṇa-informed clarity: speech should be measured, gentle, and meaningful—qualities valued in Vedic recitation and in dhārmic dialogue.