Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 19

Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy

Devanagari script

कषायोदकपानं च तत्पपाषाणतक्षणम् । अत्युष्णशीतस्नानं च तथा दशनशीर्णनम् ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

kaṣāyodakapānaṃ ca tatpapāṣāṇatakṣaṇam | atyuṣṇaśītasnānaṃ ca tathā daśanaśīrṇanam || 19 ||

Translation

Das Trinken von adstringierendem Sudwasser, das Meißeln von Steinen zu diesem Zweck, das Baden in übermäßig heißem oder kaltem Wasser sowie das Abnutzen der Zähne.

Word by Word

• कषाय-उदक-पानम्: drinking astringent water/decoction
• कषाय-उदक-पानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कषाय (प्रातिपदिक) + उदक (प्रातिपदिक) + पान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (कषायं उदकं तस्य पानम्)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक-निपात

• तत्-पप-आषाण-तक्षणम्: chiselling/cutting of stone (as stated in the text)
• तत्-पप-आषाण-तक्षणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + पप (प्रातिपदिक; ‘पप’ = पाप/पापकर्म-सम्बद्ध, पाठभेद-संभव) + आषाण/अश्मन् (प्रातिपदिक; ‘आषाण’ = stone, Vedic/rare) + तक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समास; पाठदुर्बोध (rare/possibly corrupt reading): ‘तत्’ = that/thereafter; ‘आषाण’ = stone; ‘तक्षणम्’ = chiselling/cutting

• अति-उष्ण-शीत-स्नानम्: bathing in extremely hot and cold (water)
• अति-उष्ण-शीत-स्नानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अति (अव्यय) + उष्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + शीत (प्रातिपदिक) + स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-समास (उष्णं च शीतं च—तयोः स्नानम्; ‘hot-and-cold bathing’)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक-निपात

• तथा: likewise, also
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, अव्यय-क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: ‘likewise/also’)

• दशन-शीर्णनम्: breaking/crumbling of the teeth
• दशन-शीर्णनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दशन (प्रातिपदिक) + शीर्णन (प्रातिपदिक; √शॄ/शॄण् ‘to break, crumble’ से भाव/करण-नाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (दशनानां शीर्णनम् = breaking/crumbling of teeth)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

FAQs

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

It cautions that spirituality is not proved by bodily self-harm; extreme, painful austerities are listed as examples of misguided practice, implying that dharma should be pursued with discernment rather than self-torment.

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

By de-emphasizing harsh mortification, the verse aligns with the Purāṇic preference for sattvic discipline and inward devotion—where sincere worship and ethical living are valued over extreme physical suffering.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects the dharma-śāstra style of regulating tapas (austerity) through niyamas—practical guidance on what disciplines are improper due to excess, even when done with a religious motive.