Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

Kalpa-Lakṣaṇa and Gṛhya-Kalpa: Classifications, Purifications, Implements, and Spatial Rite-Design

Devanagari script

ये भ्रमन्ति सदाकाशे पतङ्गाद्या भयङ्कराः । तेषां प्रहरणार्थाय मतं प्रोद्धरणं द्विज ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

ye bhramanti sadākāśe pataṅgādyā bhayaṅkarāḥ | teṣāṃ praharaṇārthāya mataṃ proddharaṇaṃ dvija || 17 ||

Translation

O Dvija, jene furchterregenden Wesen — beginnend mit den Geflügelten — die stets am Himmel umherstreifen: um sie niederzustrecken, gilt als anerkannte Methode, die Waffe nach oben zu schleudern.

Word by Word

• ये: those who
• ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सम्बन्ध-सर्वनाम

• भ्रमन्ति: wander/roam
• भ्रमन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भ्रम् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb of time)

• आकाशे: in the sky
• आकाशे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरण

• पतङ्ग: moth/insect
• पतङ्ग: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पतङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक-रूप (समासाङ्ग)

• आद्याः: beginning with moths etc.
• आद्याः: Karta-anvaya (कर्तृसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (अव्ययीभाव-प्राय): पतङ्गाद्याः = पतङ्गः आदिः येषां ते (beginning with moths etc.)

• भयङ्कराः: terrifying
• भयङ्कराः: Karta-anvaya (कर्तृसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भयङ्कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विशेषणम् (ये)

• तेषाम्: of them
• तेषाम्: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; सर्वनाम

• प्रहरण: striking/weapon
• प्रहरण: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रहरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रातिपदिक-रूप (समासाङ्ग)

• अर्थाय: for the purpose
• अर्थाय: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/चतुर्थी), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः: प्रहरणार्थाय = प्रहरणस्य अर्थाय (for the purpose of striking/warding off)

• मतम्: the view/decision
• मतम्: Karta (वाक्य-प्रधान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मत (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-आधार)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘opinion/decision’

• प्रोद्धरणम्: removal/extraction
• प्रोद्धरणम्: Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्र-उद्-हृ (धातु) + ल्युट्/अन (कृदन्त-नाम)
• Form: कृदन्त-नाम (action noun), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘उद्धरण’ = removal/extraction

• द्विज: O twice-born
• द्विज: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (in instruction to a dvija interlocutor within the Moksha-Dharma discourse)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It highlights that dharma is not merely intention but also right method (vidhi): even in confronting fear or danger, one should follow the approved, disciplined procedure rather than act impulsively.

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

Indirectly, it supports bhakti by emphasizing orderly conduct and self-control; devotion in Narada Purana is repeatedly paired with right living (ācāra), where actions are performed according to proper guidance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects the Purāṇic didactic style aligned with Kalpa/ritual procedure—stressing correct application (vidhi) and terminology for action (praharaṇa, proddharaṇa) rather than speculative theory.