Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 18

Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy

Devanagari script

बहुशश्चार्धशयनं महातिक्तनिषेवणम् । अत्युष्णतैलपानं च महाकटुनिषेवणम् ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

bahuśaścārdhaśayanaṃ mahātiktaniṣevaṇam | atyuṣṇatailapānaṃ ca mahākaṭuniṣevaṇam || 18 ||

Translation

Un sommeil incomplet fréquent, la consommation d'aliments très amers, boire de l'huile brûlante et l'usage excessif de mets très piquants.

Word by Word

• बहुशः: often, repeatedly
• बहुशः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: बहुशस् (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction/particle)

• अर्ध-शयनम्: half-sleeping, sleeping only partially
• अर्ध-शयनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्ध (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + शयन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन (singular); तत्पुरुष-समास (षष्ठी/कर्मधारय-सन्निकर्षे: ‘अर्धं शयनम्’ = half-sleep)

• महा-तिक्त-निषेवणम्: consumption of very bitter (things)
• महा-तिक्त-निषेवणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + तिक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + निषेवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (विशेषणपूर्वपद: ‘महद् तिक्तं’ + ‘निषेवणम्’ = indulgence/consumption)

• अति-उष्ण-तैल-पानम्: drinking extremely hot oil
• अति-उष्ण-तैल-पानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अति (अव्यय/उपसर्गवत्) + उष्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + तैल (प्रातिपदिक) + पान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (विशेषणपूर्वपद: अत्युष्णं तैलं तस्य पानम्)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चयबोधक-निपात

• महा-कटु-निषेवणम्: consumption of very pungent (things)
• महा-कटु-निषेवणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा (प्रातिपदिक) + कटु (प्रातिपदिक) + निषेवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (महाकटु-सेवनम्)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a didactic dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It links spiritual progress with bodily discipline: extremes in sleep and diet disturb balance and therefore hinder steady practice of dharma and contemplation.

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

Bhakti thrives on steadiness (niyama). By avoiding disruptive habits—irregular rest and extreme, agitating consumptions—one supports a calm mind fit for remembrance and worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

While not a direct Vedanga lesson, it reflects applied dharmic conduct aligned with supportive disciplines (niyama) that traditionally accompany mantra, ritual practice, and focused recitation.