Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 82

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

Devanagari script

क्षुत्पिपासापरो नित्यमन्तस्तापेन पीडितः । जगत्रासकरो नित्यं मांसाशनपरायणः ॥ ८२ ॥

Transliteration

kṣutpipāsāparo nityamantastāpena pīḍitaḥ | jagatrāsakaro nityaṃ māṃsāśanaparāyaṇaḥ || 82 ||

Translation

Stets von Hunger und Durst getrieben, von innerer Glut gepeinigt, wird er fortwährend zur Quelle der Furcht für die Welt und bleibt dem Fleischessen ergeben.

Word by Word

• क्षुत्पिपासापरः: driven by hunger and thirst
• क्षुत्पिपासापरः: Karta (कर्ता) / Subject qualifier
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षुत्-पिपासा-पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: क्षुत्पिपासयोः परः = ‘intent on hunger and thirst’

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण अव्ययीभूतम् (adverbial accusative)

• अन्तस्तापेन: by inner torment
• अन्तस्तापेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्तस्-ताप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: अन्तः (अन्तर्) तापः = ‘inner torment’

• पीडितः: afflicted
• पीडितः: Karta (कर्ता) / Subject qualifier
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पीड् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘afflicted’

• जगत्रासकरः: causing fear to the world
• जगत्रासकरः: Karta (कर्ता) / Subject qualifier
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जगत्-त्रास-कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: जगतः त्रासं करोति = ‘causing terror to the world’

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण अव्ययीभूतम् (adverbial accusative)

• मांसाशनपरायणः: addicted to eating flesh
• मांसाशनपरायणः: Karta (कर्ता) / Subject qualifier
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मांस-आशन-परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: मांसाशने परायणः = ‘devoted to eating flesh’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka (fear)

Secondary Rasa: karuna (compassion)

FAQs

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

It identifies a tamasic, adharma-driven disposition: compulsive sense-craving (hunger/thirst), inner burning (antaḥ-tāpa), and conduct that harms others—showing how such traits bind one to suffering and fearfulness.

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

By contrast: bhakti is supported by self-restraint and compassion; abandoning fear-causing habits and gross cravings makes the mind fit for remembrance of Bhagavan and sattvic devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

A dharma-focused takeaway rather than a technical Vedanga: it stresses ethical discipline (yama-like restraint, especially ahiṃsā) as a practical foundation for purification and higher spiritual practice.