Shloka 128

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

Devanagari script

वैश्वदेवमकर्तुश्च गृहिणो हि द्विजस्य यत् । भिक्षामदातुर्भिक्षुभ्यो विधवाया द्विभोजनात् ॥ १२८ ॥

Transliteration

vaiśvadevamakartuśca gṛhiṇo hi dvijasya yat | bhikṣāmadāturbhikṣubhyo vidhavāyā dvibhojanāt || 128 ||

Translation

Für den zweimalgeborenen Haushälter gilt: das Vaiśvadeva-Opfer nicht zu vollziehen, Bettelmönchen Almosen zu verweigern, und für die Witwe zweimal zu essen—dies alles wird als tadelnswert erklärt.

Word by Word

• वैश्वदेवम्: the Vaiśvadeva rite (offering to all gods)
• वैश्वदेवम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्वदेव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मपद (object)

• अकर्तुः: of the non-performer (one who does not do)
• अकर्तुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृ (धातु) + अ- (निषेध) → अकर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक, कर्तृ-शब्द)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन; कर्तृ-शब्दस्य षष्ठी

• च: and
• च: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• गृहिणः: of the householder
• गृहिणः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृहिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन; ‘गृहिणः’ = गृहिणः (of the householder)

• हि: indeed
• हि: —
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; emphasis/indeed)

• द्विजस्य: of the twice-born (Brahmin etc.)
• द्विजस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• यत्: that which
• यत्: Anvaya-marker (सम्बन्धसूचक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन; सम्बन्धसूचकं सर्वनाम

• भिक्षाम्: alms
• भिक्षाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• अदातुः: of one who does not give
• अदातुः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दा (धातु) + अ- (निषेध) → अदातृ (प्रातिपदिक, दातृ-शब्द)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन; ‘not-giver’

• भिक्षुभ्यः: to mendicants
• भिक्षुभ्यः: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिक्षु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative), बहुवचन

• विधवायाः: of a widow
• विधवायाः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• द्विभोजनात्: from eating twice (two meals)
• द्विभोजनात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वि (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + भोजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative), एकवचन; द्विगु-समास (two + meal)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a dharma-discourse context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It frames daily dharma as a spiritual discipline: honoring the cosmic order through Vaiśvadeva, sustaining seekers through alms, and maintaining restraint through regulated eating—each protecting purity (śauca) and merit (puṇya).

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

By emphasizing offerings and service—Vaiśvadeva and giving to bhikṣus—this verse channels devotion into concrete acts of worship and compassion, making bhakti lived through daily ritual and generosity.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual practice (kalpa in the broader Vedāṅga sense) is implied: the daily Vaiśvadeva rite and the rules of giving (dāna-vidhi) and conduct (ācāra) for householders.