Shloka 104

The Account of Kāṣṭhīlā (Kāṣṭhīlā-ākhyāna) within the Mohinī Narrative

Devanagari script

निर्जगाम दुरंताशा ददर्श द्विजसत्तमम् । रूपयौवनसंयुक्तं विद्यारत्नविभूषितम् ॥ १०४ ॥

Transliteration

nirjagāma duraṃtāśā dadarśa dvijasattamam | rūpayauvanasaṃyuktaṃ vidyāratnavibhūṣitam || 104 ||

Translation

Dann ging die Frau mit den unersättlichen Wünschen hinaus und erblickte den besten der Brahmanen, begabt mit Schönheit und Jugend und geschmückt mit dem Juwel des Wissens.

Word by Word

• निर्जगाम: went out, came forth
• निर्जगाम: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: निर्गम् (धातु; निर्+गम्)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• दुरन्त-आशा: (she) of insatiable desire
• दुरन्त-आशा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुरन्त (प्रातिपदिक) + आशा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘दुरन्ता आशा यस्याः/या’ = of insatiable desire

• ददर्श: saw
• ददर्श: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• द्विज-सत्तमम्: the best of Brahmins (twice-born)
• द्विज-सत्तमम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक) + सत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी/उपपद-तत्पुरुषः ‘द्विजानां सत्तमः’ = best among twice-born

• रूप-यौवन-संयुक्तम्: endowed with beauty and youth
• रूप-यौवन-संयुक्तम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक) + यौवन (प्रातिपदिक) + संयुक्त (कृदन्त; सम्+युज् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘रूपेण यौवनेन च संयुक्तः’ = endowed with beauty and youth

• विद्या-रत्न-विभूषितम्: adorned with jewels of knowledge
• विद्या-रत्न-विभूषितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक) + रत्न (प्रातिपदिक) + विभूषित (कृदन्त; वि+भूष् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘विद्यारत्नैः विभूषितः’ = adorned with jewels of learning

Speaker

Suta (narrator) describing the episode within the Tirtha-Mahatmya narration

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the Purāṇic ideal of a true dvija—one who is not merely outwardly impressive but is chiefly “ornamented” by vidyā (sacred learning), implying that knowledge and dharmic refinement are the real marks of excellence encountered in a tīrtha narrative.

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

While Bhakti is not named directly, the narrative tone supports Bhakti culture: pilgrims and householders are taught to recognize and honor saintly, learned persons at sacred places—service to such dvijas is a common Purāṇic support for devotion and inner purification.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse praises vidyā in general; in Narada Purana’s technical spirit, this points to disciplined śāstric learning (including Vedāṅga-based study such as Vyākaraṇa and related scriptural education) as the “jewel” that truly adorns a Brahmin.