Shloka 41

The Account of Mohinī

Mohinī-upākhyāna

Devanagari script

कृतं शून्यं यमस्थानं लिपिमार्जनकर्मणा । देवापकारो विप्रर्षे न क्षमो बाहुजन्मना ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

kṛtaṃ śūnyaṃ yamasthānaṃ lipimārjanakarmaṇā | devāpakāro viprarṣe na kṣamo bāhujanmanā || 41 ||

Translation

Durch das Wegwischen des geschriebenen Eintrags ist der Ort Yamas leer geworden. O Brahmanen-Weiser, ein Frevel gegen die Devas wird nicht vergeben, selbst nach vielen Geburten nicht.

Word by Word

• कृतम्: made/done
• कृतम्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) → कृत (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; Past passive participle (kta), nominative/accusative singular neuter; here predicative with ‘यमस्थानम्’

• शून्यम्: empty
• शून्यम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शून्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative/accusative singular neuter

• यमस्थानम्: Yama’s abode
• यमस्थानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यम+स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative/accusative singular neuter; समासः—यमस्य स्थानम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• लिपिमार्जनकर्मणा: by the act of erasing/wiping the writing
• लिपिमार्जनकर्मणा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिपि+मार्जन+कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; Instrumental singular neuter; समासः—लिपेः मार्जनं कर्म (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष, बहुपद)

• देवापकारः: harm to the gods
• देवापकारः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव+अपकार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular masculine; समासः—देवानाम् अपकारः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• विप्रर्षे: O brahmin-sage
• विप्रर्षे: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र+ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय—विप्रः च ऋषिः च (vipra-ṛṣi as one epithet)

• न: not
• न: Nishedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध-पद (negation particle)

• क्षमः: forgivable/fit to be forgiven
• क्षमः: Vidheyavisheshana (विधेय-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular masculine

• बाहुजन्मना: by (mere) kṣatriya birth
• बाहुजन्मना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाहु+जन्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; Instrumental singular neuter; समासः—बाहोः जन्म (i.e., kṣatriya-birth) (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Narada (narrative voice within Uttara-Bhaga Mahatmya section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

Characters & Entities

• Yama
• Devas

FAQs

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

It stresses karmic accountability: even if one tries to erase outward records, divine justice (Yama’s judgment) is not bypassed, and offenses against the divine are especially grave.

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

It implies that genuine devotion requires reverence and non-offense (aparadha-avoidance); Bhakti is not merely ritual, but integrity toward the Devas and sacred order.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It indirectly reflects the importance of proper ritual conduct and discipline (Kalpa/Dharma practice): sacred acts are effective only when performed without transgression or contempt toward the divine.