Shloka 24

Kārtika-Māhātmya

The Greatness of Kārtika

Devanagari script

तिर्यग्योनिमवाप्नोति सर्वधर्मबहिष्कृतः ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

tiryagyonimavāpnoti sarvadharmabahiṣkṛtaḥ || 24 ||

Translation

Von allem Dharma ausgeschlossen, erlangt er eine Geburt in niederen Leibern, als Tier.

Word by Word

• tiryag-yonim: an animal birth; womb of beasts
• tiryag-yonim: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tiryak (प्रातिपदिक) + yoni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (कर्मधारय/विशेषणपूर्वपद-प्रायः: ‘animal-womb’), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Accusative singular)

• avāpnoti: attains; obtains
• avāpnoti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ava-āp (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन (3rd person singular)

• sarva-dharma-bahiṣkṛtaḥ: one excluded from all religious duties
• sarva-dharma-bahiṣkṛtaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + bahiṣkṛta (कृदन्त; बहिः-√kṛ)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (समाहार/निर्देश: ‘excluded from all dharmas’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन (Nominative singular); कृदन्त-भूतकृत् (past passive participle)

Speaker

Narada (as teacher in the Narada Purana discourse tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It warns that rejection of dharma leads to karmic degradation, culminating in rebirth among lower life-forms (tiryag-yoni), emphasizing ethical living as a spiritual necessity.

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

By highlighting the fall caused by being 'outside dharma,' it indirectly supports bhakti and dharmic conduct as safeguards—devotion aligned with righteous living prevents such downward karmic outcomes.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Dharmashastra-style application of karma theory rather than a specific Vedanga; the practical takeaway is disciplined conduct (ācāra) to avoid actions that expel one from dharma.