Shloka 76

The Discourse of Rukmāṅgada

Prabodhinī Ekādaśī, Kārtika-vrata, and Satya-dharma

Devanagari script

शिशूनां वलिगात्राणां न युक्तं समुपोषणम् । यज्ञभोगोद्यतानां च संग्रामक्षितिसेविनाम् ॥ ७६ ॥

Transliteration

śiśūnāṃ valigātrāṇāṃ na yuktaṃ samupoṣaṇam | yajñabhogodyatānāṃ ca saṃgrāmakṣitisevinām || 76 ||

Translation

Strict fasting is not appropriate for infants, for those whose bodies are weak and emaciated, for those engaged in partaking of sacrificial portions (yajña offerings), or for those serving on the battlefield and in the protection of the realm.

Word by Word

• शिशूनाम्: of infants/children
• शिशूनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिशु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• वलि-गात्राणाम्: of those with wrinkled/weak bodies
• वलि-गात्राणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वलि (प्रातिपदिक) + गात्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः वलि+गात्र (तत्पुरुष; ‘वलिभिः युक्तानि गात्राणि’)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय

• युक्तम्: proper/appropriate
• युक्तम्: Kriya-visheshana (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; क्त (past participle) from √युज्; विधेय-विशेषण

• समुपोषणम्: complete fasting/observance of fast
• समुपोषणम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सम्-उप-उष्/वस् (धातु) → उपोषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; उपसर्गयुक्त नाम—सम्+उपोषण

• यज्ञ-भोग-उद्यतानाम्: of those engaged in sacrificial enjoyment/feasting
• यज्ञ-भोग-उद्यतानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक) + भोग (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्यत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (यज्ञभोगे उद्यताः)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक निपात

• संग्राम-क्षिति-सेविनाम्: of those serving on the battlefield/serving the earth in war
• संग्राम-क्षिति-सेविनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संग्राम (प्रातिपदिक) + क्षिति (प्रातिपदिक) + सेविन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (संग्रामे क्षितिं सेवते ये)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a dharma/vrata context; dialogue attribution within Narada Purana’s instruction style)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none (general upavasa guidance within vrata-dharma)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

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

It teaches that dharma is applied with discernment: vows like fasting should support health and duty, not cause harm or obstruct essential obligations.

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

It implies that devotion is not measured by extreme austerity alone; bhakti is preserved by performing sustainable practices that do not injure the body or disrupt one’s rightful service.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual application (kalpa-style practicality) is emphasized: eligibility rules and exceptions in vrata/upavāsa ensure rites align with health, yajña responsibilities, and social duty.