Shloka 16

Mohinī-ākhyāna: The Trial of Ekādaśī and the King’s Satya-saṅkalpa

Devanagari script

चतुष्पदेभ्योऽपि जनैर्नान्नं देयं हरेर्दिने । उत्तराशास्थितैर्विप्रैर्विष्णुधर्मपरायणैः ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

catuṣpadebhyo'pi janairnānnaṃ deyaṃ harerdine | uttarāśāsthitairviprairviṣṇudharmaparāyaṇaiḥ || 16 ||

Translation

En el día sagrado de Hari, no debe darse alimento ni siquiera a los seres de cuatro patas. Más bien, ese alimento ha de ofrecerse a brāhmaṇas sentados mirando al norte, consagrados al dharma de Viṣṇu.

Word by Word

• चतुष्पदेभ्यः: from/than quadrupeds
• चतुष्पदेभ्यः: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चतुष्पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th case), बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहि: 'having four feet' = quadrupeds

• अपि: even
• अपि: Nipāta (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपेक्षार्थक अव्यय (also/even)

• जनैः: by people
• जनैः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), बहुवचन; instrumental of agent

• न: not
• न: Nishedha (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation)

• अन्नम्: food
• अन्नम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचन

• देयम्: should be given
• देयम्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्/यत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (gerundive/passive necessity), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'to be given/should be given'

• हरेः: of Hari
• हरेः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case), एकवचन

• दिने: on the day
• दिने: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th case), एकवचन; locative of time

• उत्तराशा: the northern direction
• उत्तराशा: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्तर + आशा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), एकवचन; कर्मधारय: 'northern' + 'direction'

• स्थितैः: standing/placed
• स्थितैः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; agreeing with 'विप्रैः'

• विप्रैः: by brāhmaṇas
• विप्रैः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), बहुवचन

• विष्णुधर्मपरायणैः: devoted to Viṣṇu's dharma
• विष्णुधर्मपरायणैः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विष्णुधर्म + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: 'devoted to Viṣṇu-dharma'

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Ekadashi (Hari’s day)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Hari
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It prioritizes sacred-day discipline: offerings meant for Hari’s observance should be directed toward Viṣṇu-dharma–devoted Brahmins, preserving the sanctity and intended फल (spiritual merit) of the vrata.

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

Bhakti is expressed through regulated conduct on Hari’s day—honoring Vishnu by directing charity (anna-dāna) to those devoted to Viṣṇu-dharma rather than distributing it indiscriminately.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa (ritual procedure) through rules of dāna and the use of ritual direction (uttarāśā, facing north) as part of correct observance on a Vishnu holy day.