Shloka 71

The Discourse of Rukmāṅgada

Prabodhinī Ekādaśī, Kārtika-vrata, and Satya-dharma

Devanagari script

गोचारस्य प्रलोपे च कूटसाक्ष्यप्रदायके । निक्षेपहारके वापि कुमारीविघ्नकारके ॥ ७१ ॥

Transliteration

gocārasya pralope ca kūṭasākṣyapradāyake | nikṣepahārake vāpi kumārīvighnakārake || 71 ||

Translation

Ebenso ist Sühne vorgeschrieben für den Viehdieb, für den, der falsches Zeugnis ablegt, für den, der ein anvertrautes Depositum stiehlt, und auch für den, der einer Jungfrau Hindernisse bereitet (ihr rechtmäßiges Eheglück oder Wohl beeinträchtigt).

Word by Word

• गोचारस्य: of cattle-grazing/pasture
• गोचारस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोचार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive/षष्ठी), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (गो + चार ‘movement of cows/pasture-range’)

• प्रलोपे: in the theft/loss
• प्रलोपे: अधिकरण (Context/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रलोप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/सप्तमी), एकवचन; ‘in the loss/stealing’

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction: ‘and’)

• कूटसाक्ष्यप्रदायके: in (the case of) a giver of false testimony
• कूटसाक्ष्यप्रदायके: अधिकरण (Context/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कूट + साक्ष्य + प्रदायक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative/सप्तमी), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः (‘false’ + ‘testimony’ + ‘giver’)

• निक्षेपहारके: in (the case of) a stealer of deposits
• निक्षेपहारके: अधिकरण (Context/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निक्षेप + हारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (‘deposit’ + ‘stealer’)

• वा: or
• वा: विकल्प (alternative connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (particle: ‘or’)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: सम्बन्ध (discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अप्यर्थक-अव्यय (particle: ‘also/even’)

• कुमारीविघ्नकारके: in (the case of) one who causes obstacles to maidens
• कुमारीविघ्नकारके: अधिकरण (Context/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुमारी + विघ्न + कारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (‘maiden’ + ‘obstacle’ + ‘maker’)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It frames social harms—stealing cattle, lying as a witness, stealing entrusted goods, and obstructing a maiden—as serious adharma requiring prāyaścitta, emphasizing inner purification alongside restoration of justice.

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

By condemning deceit and exploitation, it protects the moral foundation necessary for sincere bhakti—truthfulness, non-injury, and respect for others’ welfare—without which worship becomes hollow.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Dharmaśāstra-style legal-ethical reasoning (often connected with Kalpa traditions): truth in testimony, protection of trusts (nikṣepa), and social duties, which guide ritual and civic conduct.