Shloka 10

Mohinī’s Speech

Mohinyāḥ Bhāṣaṇam

Devanagari script

किं जातैर्बहुभिः पुत्रैः शोकसंतापकारकैः । वरमेकः कुलालंबी यत्र विश्रमते कुलम् ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

kiṃ jātairbahubhiḥ putraiḥ śokasaṃtāpakārakaiḥ | varamekaḥ kulālaṃbī yatra viśramate kulam || 10 ||

Translation

What is the use of having many sons if they only become causes of grief and torment? Better is a single son who upholds the family—one in whom the whole lineage finds support and repose.

Word by Word

• किम्: what (use)
• किम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/प्रश्न)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; प्रश्नार्थक (interrogative)

• जातैः: by (having) been born
• जातैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जन् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (Past Passive Participle) ‘जात’ used substantively; पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन; ‘with/through those born’

• बहुभिः: many
• बहुभिः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; qualifying पुत्रैः

• पुत्रैः: sons
• पुत्रैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• शोकसंतापकारकैः: causing grief and distress
• शोकसंतापकारकैः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शोक + संताप + कारक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ‘शोकं संतापं च कुर्वन्ति’ (causing grief and distress), qualifying पुत्रैः

• वरम्: better (is)
• वरम्: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय-प्रयोग (indeclinable usage meaning ‘better’/‘preferable’)

• एकः: one
• एकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन; qualifying (implicit) पुत्रः

• कुलालंबी: family-supporting
• कुलालंबी: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुल + आलम्बिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘कुलम् आलम्बते’ (supporting the family), qualifying एकः (पुत्रः)

• यत्र: where
• यत्र: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (relative adverb), स्थानवाचक (locative sense)

• विश्रमते: rests, finds repose
• विश्रमते: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-श्रम् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• कुलम्: the family
• कुलम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (instructional puranic voice; framed within the Narada–Sanatkumara teaching style)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

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

It teaches a dharmic principle: lineage is truly sustained not by numbers but by virtue—one righteous child who supports elders and protects family duties is superior to many who create suffering.

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

Indirectly, it prioritizes sattvic character and responsibility—qualities that also support Vishnu-bhakti—because a devotee-child becomes a refuge for the family through dharma, service, and steadiness.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana, Jyotisha, or Kalpa) is taught in this verse; it is primarily niti and grihastha-dharma—practical ethics for family stability.