Shloka 12

The Discourse of Rukmāṅgada

Prabodhinī Ekādaśī, Kārtika-vrata, and Satya-dharma

Devanagari script

आज्ञां मे देहि राजेंद्र मा व्रीहां कामिकां कुरु ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

ājñāṃ me dehi rājeṃdra mā vrīhāṃ kāmikāṃ kuru || 12 ||

Translation

Oh rey de reyes, concédeme tu mandato; no conviertas este asunto en un acto movido por el deseo y el interés propio.

Word by Word

• ājñām: permission, command
• ājñām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ājñā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• me: to me
• me: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (अस्मद्)
• Form: Pronoun enclitic, Caturthī/Ṣaṣṭhī (4th/6th), Ekavacana; here dative sense

• dehi: give
• dehi: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (दा धातु)
• Form: Loṭ (Imperative/लोट्), Madhyama-puruṣa (2nd), Ekavacana; parasmaipada

• rājendra: O best of kings
• rājendra: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (राजन्) + indra (इन्द्र)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Sambodhana, Ekavacana; karmadhāraya ‘king who is (like) Indra / best of kings’

• mā: do not
• mā: Sambandha (particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: mā (अव्यय)
• Form: Prohibitive particle (निषेधार्थक अव्यय) used with imperative

• vrīhām: a rice-grain (vrīhī) / rice
• vrīhām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vrīhā (व्रीहा प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana

• kāmikām: desired, wishful
• kāmikām: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kāmikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana; agreeing with vrīhām

• kuru: make/do
• kuru: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (कृ धातु)
• Form: Loṭ (Imperative), Madhyama-puruṣa (2nd), Ekavacana; parasmaipada

Speaker

Unspecified (a petitioner addressing a king in the narrative)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It stresses that dharmic action should be done under rightful authority and with pure intention, not as a desire-driven transaction.

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

By warning against kāmya (desire-motivated) action, it aligns devotion with niṣkāma-bhāva—serving the sacred without bargaining for personal gain.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse reflects ritual-ethics rather than a specific Vedāṅga: it emphasizes niyama (proper constraint) and adhikāra (rightful authorization) as prerequisites for correct practice.