Shloka 104

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

Devanagari script

निर्जगाम दुरंताशा ददर्श द्विजसत्तमम् । रूपयौवनसंयुक्तं विद्यारत्नविभूषितम् ॥ १०४ ॥

Transliteration

nirjagāma duraṃtāśā dadarśa dvijasattamam | rūpayauvanasaṃyuktaṃ vidyāratnavibhūṣitam || 104 ||

Translation

Then the woman of insatiable desires went out and saw the best of Brahmins, endowed with beauty and youth, and adorned with the jewel of knowledge.

Word by Word

• निर्जगाम: went out, came forth
• निर्जगाम: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: निर्गम् (धातु; निर्+गम्)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• दुरन्त-आशा: (she) of insatiable desire
• दुरन्त-आशा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुरन्त (प्रातिपदिक) + आशा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘दुरन्ता आशा यस्याः/या’ = of insatiable desire

• ददर्श: saw
• ददर्श: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• द्विज-सत्तमम्: the best of Brahmins (twice-born)
• द्विज-सत्तमम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक) + सत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी/उपपद-तत्पुरुषः ‘द्विजानां सत्तमः’ = best among twice-born

• रूप-यौवन-संयुक्तम्: endowed with beauty and youth
• रूप-यौवन-संयुक्तम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक) + यौवन (प्रातिपदिक) + संयुक्त (कृदन्त; सम्+युज् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘रूपेण यौवनेन च संयुक्तः’ = endowed with beauty and youth

• विद्या-रत्न-विभूषितम्: adorned with jewels of knowledge
• विद्या-रत्न-विभूषितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विद्या (प्रातिपदिक) + रत्न (प्रातिपदिक) + विभूषित (कृदन्त; वि+भूष् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः ‘विद्यारत्नैः विभूषितः’ = adorned with jewels of learning

Speaker

Suta (narrator) describing the episode within the Tirtha-Mahatmya narration

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

The verse highlights the Purāṇic ideal of a true dvija—one who is not merely outwardly impressive but is chiefly “ornamented” by vidyā (sacred learning), implying that knowledge and dharmic refinement are the real marks of excellence encountered in a tīrtha narrative.

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

While Bhakti is not named directly, the narrative tone supports Bhakti culture: pilgrims and householders are taught to recognize and honor saintly, learned persons at sacred places—service to such dvijas is a common Purāṇic support for devotion and inner purification.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse praises vidyā in general; in Narada Purana’s technical spirit, this points to disciplined śāstric learning (including Vedāṅga-based study such as Vyākaraṇa and related scriptural education) as the “jewel” that truly adorns a Brahmin.