Shloka 46

Yama’s Journey to Brahmaloka

Ekadashi–Dvadashi Mahatmya in the Rukmangada Cycle

Devanagari script

सुखैर्दुःखैस्तथा द्वंद्वैर्लाभालाभैर्जयाजयैः । सत्यानृतैश्च देवेशो वेष्टितो धर्मपावकः ॥ ४६ ॥

Transliteration

sukhairduḥkhaistathā dvaṃdvairlābhālābhairjayājayaiḥ | satyānṛtaiśca deveśo veṣṭito dharmapāvakaḥ || 46 ||

Translation

The Lord of the gods is enveloped by pleasure and pain, by the pairs of opposites, by gain and loss, by victory and defeat, and by truth and falsehood—while the purifying fire of Dharma remains wrapped within these conditions.

Word by Word

• सुखैः: by pleasures
• सुखैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन (Instrumental plural)

• दुःखैः: by pains
• दुःखैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुःख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन (Instrumental plural)

• तथा: and also
• तथा: Sambandha (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/अनुक्रमसूचक

• द्वन्द्वैः: by pairs of opposites
• द्वन्द्वैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वन्द्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन (Instrumental plural)

• लाभ-अलाभैः: by gain and loss
• लाभ-अलाभैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लाभ (प्रातिपदिक) + अलाभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (Instrumental plural)

• जय-अजयैः: by victory and defeat
• जय-अजयैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जय (प्रातिपदिक) + अजय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (Instrumental plural)

• सत्य-अनृतैः: by truth and untruth
• सत्य-अनृतैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अनृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व (Instrumental plural)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय

• देवेशः: the Lord of gods
• देवेशः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (देवानाम् ईशः) (Nominative singular)

• वेष्टितः: is enveloped/encircled
• वेष्टितः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वेष्ट् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगार्थः ‘wrapped/encircled’

• धर्म-पावकः: the purifier of dharma
• धर्म-पावकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + पावक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (धर्मस्य पावकः) (Nominative singular); देवेशस्य विशेषण-रूपेण

Speaker

Narada (narrative voice within Uttara-Bhaga context; traditional dialogue frame with sages)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Devesha (Lord of the gods)
• Dharma (as Pavaka, purifying fire)

FAQs

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

It teaches that worldly experience is structured by dvandvas—pleasure/pain, gain/loss, victory/defeat, truth/falsehood—which can ‘cover’ one’s recognition of Dharma; spiritual progress requires seeing beyond these shifting conditions.

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

Bhakti matures into steadiness: devotion to the Lord is not dependent on success or failure. By remaining devoted through sukha and duḥkha, the devotee lets the ‘fire of Dharma’ purify the heart instead of being ruled by dualities.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse practically points to Viveka (discernment) central to Dharma-śāstra application: recognizing dvandvas as transient helps one choose dharmic action consistently, rather than acting from reactive emotion tied to gain/loss or victory/defeat.