Shloka 28

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

Devanagari script

त्रिवर्गविच्युतं घोरं यशोदेहहरं क्षितौ । नरकार्हो नरो देवि करोत्यशुभकर्म तत् ॥ २८ ॥

Transliteration

trivargavicyutaṃ ghoraṃ yaśodehaharaṃ kṣitau | narakārho naro devi karotyaśubhakarma tat || 28 ||

Translation

O Göttin, die unheilvolle Tat, die ein Mensch begeht, macht ihn der Hölle würdig; sie ist schrecklich, entreißt ihn den drei Lebenszielen (Dharma, Artha, Kāma) und vernichtet auf Erden sowohl seinen Ruhm als auch sein leibliches Wohlergehen.

Word by Word

• त्रिवर्गविच्युतम्: deviated from the three aims (dharma-artha-kāma)
• त्रिवर्गविच्युतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रिवर्ग + विच्युत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √च्यु 'to fall' with vi-, past passive participle)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; कृदन्त-भूतकर्मणि (क्त) ‘fallen/deviated’

• घोरम्: terrible
• घोरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• यशः-देह-हरम्: stealing (one’s) fame and body/health
• यशः-देह-हरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यशस् (प्रातिपदिक) + देह (प्रातिपदिक) + हर (प्रातिपदिक; from √हृ 'to take/steal')
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (यशसः देहस्य च हरः)

• क्षितौ: on earth
• क्षितौ: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षिति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• नरक-अर्हः: deserving of hell
• नरक-अर्हः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नरक (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्ह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—चतुर्थी/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थः ‘नरकं अर्हति’

• नरः: a man
• नरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• देवि: O goddess
• देवि: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन

• करोति: does
• करोति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present/वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• अशुभ-कर्म: evil deed
• अशुभ-कर्म: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अशुभ (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय ‘अशुभं कर्म’

• तत्: that (act)
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

Speaker

Unspecified (dialogue frame likely Narada addressing a Devi/consort figure in the narrative style of Uttara-Bhaga)

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 aśubha-karma (sinful action) has immediate worldly fallout (loss of fame and well-being) and also a post-death consequence (becoming narakārha—fit for hell), stressing ethical restraint as a foundation for higher spiritual life.

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

By emphasizing the ruin caused by aśubha-karma, the verse indirectly supports bhakti as a purifying discipline: devotion to Bhagavān is traditionally paired with sadācāra (right conduct) that prevents actions which obstruct dharma and inner purity.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse mainly teaches dharma-śāstra ethics rather than a specific Vedāṅga; practically, it aligns with nirṇaya (proper judgment) in conduct—choosing actions that preserve trivarga and avoid pāpa that leads to naraka.