Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 66

Vyākaraṇa-saṅgraha: Pada–Vibhakti–Kāraka–Lakāra–Samāsa

Devanagari script

मलिनो विकटो गोमी भौरिकीविधमुत्कटम् । अवटीटोवनाटे निबिडं चेक्षुशाकिनम् ॥ ६६ ॥

Transliteration

malino vikaṭo gomī bhaurikīvidhamutkaṭam | avaṭīṭovanāṭe nibiḍaṃ cekṣuśākinam || 66 ||

Translation

«Impurs, difformes et fétides — terrifiants d’aspect ; demeurant dans des fosses et des forêts, d’une obscurité épaisse, et hantant les bosquets de canne à sucre — tels sont les êtres effroyables décrits.»

Word by Word

• malinaḥ: dirty; impure
• malinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/विषय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: malina (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• vikaṭaḥ: odd; grotesque; huge
• vikaṭaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/विषय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vikaṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• gomī: possessing cows; cow-rich
• gomī: Karta (कर्ता/विषय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gomī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; -इन् प्रत्ययान्त

• bhaurikī-vidham: of the bhaurikī type
• bhaurikī-vidham: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhaurikī + vidha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘-विध’ = of a kind/type

• utkaṭam: very strong; intense; formidable
• utkaṭam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: utkaṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• avaṭīṭa-vanāṭe: in/at Avaṭīṭa and Vanāṭa (as terms/places)
• avaṭīṭa-vanāṭe: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: avaṭīṭa + vanāṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; द्वन्द्व-समासः (two place/term names)

• nibiḍam: dense; compact
• nibiḍam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nibiḍa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय

• ikṣu-śākinam: ikṣuśākin (a term; sugarcane-related person/thing)
• ikṣu-śākinam: Karta (कर्ता/विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ikṣu + śākin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘इक्षुशाकिन्’ = sugarcane-seller/one connected with sugarcane (lexical)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue context with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It depicts the fearful, impure conditions associated with spiritual degradation—highlighting that tamas (darkness), impurity, and adharma manifest as terrifying states that the seeker should transcend through purification and right conduct.

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

By contrasting dread and impurity with the goal of moksha, it implicitly points to devotion and remembrance of the Divine (especially Vishnu in Narada Purana’s moksha-dharma) as the purifier that removes fear and inner darkness.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse is more ethical-spiritual than technical; its practical takeaway aligns with dharma-shastra style guidance—avoid impure conduct and cultivate śauca (purity) and sattva, which are foundational for effective mantra-japa and ritual discipline.