Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

सूर्यायुत समप्रख्यां तेजसा रुचिरस्तनाम् । पालयंतीं धरां सर्वां पादविन्यासविक्रमैः ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

sūryāyuta samaprakhyāṃ tejasā rucirastanām | pālayaṃtīṃ dharāṃ sarvāṃ pādavinyāsavikramaiḥ || 2 ||

Translation

Radiant with a splendor equal to ten thousand suns, and beautiful in form, she sustains and protects the entire earth by the mighty power of her very footfalls and strides.

Word by Word

• sūryāyuta-samaprakhyām: having radiance equal to ten thousand suns
• sūryāyuta-samaprakhyām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūrya (प्रातिपदिक) + ayuta (प्रातिपदिक) + sama (प्रातिपदिक) + prakhyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुष/कर्मधारय-प्राय: ‘सूर्यायुत-समा-प्रख्याः’ (having splendor equal to ten-thousand suns); स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular); qualifies the woman described

• tejasā: by (her) brilliance
• tejasā: Karaṇa (करण/instrument; by splendor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (singular)

• rucira-stanām: she who has beautiful breasts
• rucira-stanām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rucira (प्रातिपदिक) + stana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुव्रीहि: ‘रुचिराः स्तनाः यस्याः सा’; स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• pālayantīm: protecting, ruling
• pālayantīm: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण; describing the woman)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pālaya (कृदन्त; √pāl धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present participle/शतृ-प्रत्यय), स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• dharām: the earth
• dharām: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• sarvām: entire, all
• sarvām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular); agrees with dharām

• pāda-vinyāsa-vikramaiḥ: by the powerful strides/steps of her feet
• pāda-vinyāsa-vikramaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāda (प्रातिपदिक) + vinyāsa (प्रातिपदिक) + vikrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुष: ‘पादविन्यासस्य विक्रमैः’ (by the strides/force of foot-placement); पुल्लिङ्ग (masculine), तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (plural)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Purana)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Dharā (Earth)

FAQs

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

The verse portrays Earth (Dharā) as a divine, luminous power whose very movement sustains order—implying that dharma is upheld through cosmic stability and reverence for sacred geography (tīrthas) where that power is specially accessible.

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

By describing Earth as a manifest, awe-inspiring form of divine energy, the verse encourages bhakti through wonder and reverence—seeing the Lord’s governance reflected in the world that supports all beings, a key Purāṇic doorway into devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Indirectly, it supports Jyotiṣa-style imagery (ten-thousand-sun radiance) used in Purāṇic description; practically, it frames tīrtha-mahātmya as applied dharma—guiding pilgrimage, vows, and ritual conduct rooted in sacred place.