Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 13

Yamapatha (The Road of Yama), Dāna-Phala, and the Imperishable Fruition of Karma

Devanagari script

नासाग्रपाशकृष्टाश्च केचिदंत्रैश्च बधिताः । वहंतश्चायसां भारं शिश्राग्रेण प्रयांति वै ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

nāsāgrapāśakṛṣṭāśca kecidaṃtraiśca badhitāḥ | vahaṃtaścāyasāṃ bhāraṃ śiśrāgreṇa prayāṃti vai || 13 ||

Translation

Some are dragged forward by a noose fastened to the tip of the nose; others are bound with their own intestines. Bearing heavy loads of iron, they are made to move on, pulled by the tip of the penis indeed.

Word by Word

• नासाग्रपाशकृष्टाः: dragged by a nose-tip noose
• नासाग्रपाशकृष्टाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नासाग्र (प्रातिपदिक) + पाश (प्रातिपदिक) + कृष् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), कर्मणि; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (नासाग्रस्य पाशेन कृष्टाः = 'dragged by a noose (tied) to the tip of the nose'); (past passive participle used adjectivally)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• केचित्: some
• केचित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; (pronoun, masculine nominative plural)

• अन्त्रैः: with intestines
• अन्त्रैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), बहुवचन; (neuter, instrumental plural)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• बधिताः: bound, tied
• बधिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: बन्ध् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), कर्मणि; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; (past passive participle, masculine nominative plural)

• वहन्तः: carrying
• वहन्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वह् (धातु)
• Form: वर्तमान कृदन्त (शतृ), परस्मैपद; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; (present active participle, masculine nominative plural)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• अयसाम्: of iron
• अयसाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अयस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case), बहुवचन; (neuter, genitive plural)

• भारम्: burden, load
• भारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन; (masculine, accusative singular)

• शिश्राग्रेण: by the tip of the penis
• शिश्राग्रेण: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिश्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative: 'by the tip of the penis'); (neuter, instrumental singular)

• प्रयान्ति: go forth
• प्रयान्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + या (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; (present indicative, 3rd person plural, active)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक/खल्वर्थक अव्यय (particle: 'indeed')

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bibhatsa

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It underscores the Purāṇic doctrine of karma-phala: severe, body-corresponding punishments symbolize the inevitable results of adharma and function as a deterrent, urging disciplined, dharmic living.

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

By contrasting the terror of karmic retribution with the safety of righteous life, it indirectly motivates turning to dharma and (elsewhere in the Narada Purana) Vishnu-bhakti as a purifying refuge that reforms conduct and reduces sinful tendencies.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Śikṣā) is taught in this verse; it is primarily a Dharma-śikṣā passage emphasizing ethical restraint and accountability.