Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 94

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

Devanagari script

त्यजेद्रेतो महापापी सरेतोभोजनं लभेत् । वसाकूपं ततः प्राप्य स्थित्वा दिव्याब्दसत्पकम् ॥ ९४ ॥

Transliteration

tyajedreto mahāpāpī saretobhojanaṃ labhet | vasākūpaṃ tataḥ prāpya sthitvā divyābdasatpakam || 94 ||

Translation

Der große Sünder, der seinen Samen vergeudet oder wegwirft, wird dazu gebracht, Speise zu essen, die mit Samen vermischt ist; danach gelangt er in den „Fettbrunnen“ (Vasā-kūpa) und bleibt dort siebzig göttliche Jahre.

Word by Word

• त्यजेत्: should abandon
• त्यजेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: त्यज् (धातु)
• Form: Optative/विधिलिङ्, 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• रेतः: semen
• रेतः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रेतस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); object of त्यजेत्

• महापापी: a great sinner
• महापापी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महापापिन् (प्रातिपदिक; महा + पापिन्)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• स-रेतः-भोजनम्: food consisting of semen
• स-रेतः-भोजनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + रेतस् (प्रातिपदिक) + भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); object of लभेत्

• लभेत्: would obtain
• लभेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु)
• Form: Optative/विधिलिङ्, 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

• वसाकूपम्: the pit of fat
• वसाकूपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वसाकूप (प्रातिपदिक; वसा + कूप)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); goal/object with प्राप्य

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Desha-Kala (देश-काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय/तद्-तसिल्)
• Form: Ablatival adverb (तसिल्), 'from there/thereafter'

• प्राप्य: having reached
• प्राप्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-आप् (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), 'having reached'

• स्थित्वा: having remained
• स्थित्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), 'having stayed/standing'

• दिव्य-अब्द-सत्पकम्: for seven divine years
• दिव्य-अब्द-सत्पकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिव्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अब्द (प्रातिपदिक) + सत्पक (प्रातिपदिक; सप्तक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); duration-object with स्थित्वा

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue responding to Narada on karma-phala/naraka outcomes)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It emphasizes karma-phala: bodily and sexual misconduct is treated as a serious ethical breach, yielding a specifically mirrored consequence (bhoga) meant to deter adharma and promote self-restraint.

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

Indirectly, it supports bhakti by urging purity and discipline; devotion to Vishnu is traditionally paired with dharmic conduct, and this verse warns that indulgence and harm lead away from sattva needed for steady bhakti.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual-ethical discipline (dharma-śāstra aligned conduct) is implied rather than a specific Vedanga; the practical takeaway is brahmacarya/self-control as a supportive rule for spiritual practice and vrata-based living.