Shloka 39

The Account of Mohinī

Mohinī-upākhyāna

Devanagari script

गतिं धर्मस्यातिसूक्ष्मां लोककल्याणकारिणीम् । अनया निकषाश्यांग्या परीक्ष्य स्वर्णभूषणः ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

gatiṃ dharmasyātisūkṣmāṃ lokakalyāṇakāriṇīm | anayā nikaṣāśyāṃgyā parīkṣya svarṇabhūṣaṇaḥ || 39 ||

Translation

The course of dharma is exceedingly subtle, yet it brings welfare to the world. As a gold ornament is tested by a touchstone, so should it be examined by this standard of discernment.

Word by Word

• गतिम्: path/way
• गतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular feminine

• धर्मस्य: of dharma
• धर्मस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी विभक्ति, एकवचन; Genitive singular masculine

• अतिसूक्ष्माम्: very subtle
• अतिसूक्ष्माम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अति+सूक्ष्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular feminine; उपसर्ग-पूर्वक विशेषण

• लोककल्याणकारिणीम्: bringing welfare to the world
• लोककल्याणकारिणीम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोक+कल्याण+कारिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular feminine; समासः—लोकस्य कल्याणं करोति इति (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष, बहुपद)

• अनया: by this (woman/one)
• अनया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; Demonstrative pronoun, instrumental singular feminine

• निकषा: with a touchstone
• निकषा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निकषा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; Instrumental singular feminine (as touchstone)

• श्याङ्ग्या: with the śyāṅgī (black touchstone)
• श्याङ्ग्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्याङ्गी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; Instrumental singular feminine; (a kind of dark/black touchstone)

• परीक्ष्य: having tested/examined
• परीक्ष्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि+ईक्ष् (धातु) → परीक्ष्य (क्त्वा/ल्यप्)
• Form: अव्यय-कृदन्त (ल्यप्/क्त्वान्त), Absolutive/gerund: ‘having examined’

• स्वर्णभूषणः: a gold-ornament (piece)
• स्वर्णभूषणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर्ण+भूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; Nominative singular masculine; समासः—स्वर्णस्य भूषणः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Suta (narrating; teaching framed in Narada Purana’s dharma discourse)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It teaches that dharma is subtle and must be verified through careful discernment, with the benchmark being whether it truly promotes the welfare of beings (lokakalyāṇa).

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

By implying that genuine dharma (including devotional practice) should be tested for purity and real benefit—humility, compassion, and upliftment—rather than mere outward display.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Not a specific Vedāṅga technique, but a nyāya-style principle of examination (parīkṣā): like assaying gold, one should critically evaluate actions and teachings for authenticity and beneficial outcomes.