Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 46

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

Devanagari script

क्षुत्पपासाविशेषार्तो नित्यं क्रोधपरायणः । कृष्णक्षपाद्युतिर्भीमो बभ्राम विजने वने ॥ ४७ ॥

Transliteration

kṣutpapāsāviśeṣārto nityaṃ krodhaparāyaṇaḥ | kṛṣṇakṣapādyutirbhīmo babhrāma vijane vane || 47 ||

Translation

ক্ষুধা-তৃষ্ণাত তীব্ৰ কাতৰ, সদায় ক্ৰোধত পৰায়ণ, ক’লা ৰাতিৰ দ্যুতি সদৃশ শ্যামবৰ্ণ ভীমে বিজন বনতে ঘূৰি ফুৰিলে।

Word by Word

• क्षुत्-पिपासा-विशेष-आर्तः: afflicted intensely by hunger and thirst
• क्षुत्-पिपासा-विशेष-आर्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षुत् (प्रातिपदिक) + पिपासा (प्रातिपदिक) + विशेष (प्रातिपदिक) + आर्त (कृदन्त; √ऋ/√अर्द्?; प्रातिपदिकरूपेण)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (क्षुत्पिपासयोः विशेषेण आर्तः = afflicted especially by hunger and thirst)

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभावे प्रयुक्तम्; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• क्रोध-परायणः: given over to anger
• क्रोध-परायणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्रोध (प्रातिपदिक) + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (क्रोधे परायणः = devoted/addicted to anger)

• कृष्ण-क्षपा-द्युतिः: having a dark-night-like lustre
• कृष्ण-क्षपा-द्युतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृष्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + क्षपा (प्रातिपदिक) + द्युति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (कृष्णा क्षपा इव द्युतिः यस्य/या) — here as descriptive epithet

• भीमः: terrible
• भीमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भीम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• बभ्राम: wandered
• बभ्राम: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भ्रम् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• विजने: in a lonely/deserted
• विजने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन; विशेषण (वने)

• वने: forest
• वने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), एकवचन

Speaker

Suta (narrator) describing the episode within the Purana

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Characters & Entities

• Bhima

FAQs

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

It highlights how bodily distress (hunger and thirst) can inflame krodha (anger), causing restlessness and aimless wandering—implying the need for self-restraint and steadiness to remain aligned with dharma.

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

By implication, bhakti requires inner composure; anger and agitation scatter the mind. The verse contrasts a disturbed state with the calm, disciplined mind needed for remembrance of the Divine.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana, Jyotisha, or Kalpa) is directly taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is ethical discipline—mastery over anger and endurance under hardship.