Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 35

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

Devanagari script

हेमस्तेयसमं पापं प्रवक्ष्यामि निशामय । कन्दमूलफलानां च कस्तूरी पटवाससाम् ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

hemasteyasamaṃ pāpaṃ pravakṣyāmi niśāmaya | kandamūlaphalānāṃ ca kastūrī paṭavāsasām || 35 ||

Translation

Écoute : je vais exposer le péché égal au vol de l’or—le larcin de racines, de tubercules et de fruits, ainsi que de kastūrī (musc), de feuilles de bétel et de vêtements.

Word by Word

• हेमस्तेयसमम्: equal to gold-theft
• हेमस्तेयसमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier of पापम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हेम-स्तेय-सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: हेमस्तेयेण समम् (equal to gold-theft)

• पापम्: sin
• पापम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• प्रवक्ष्यामि: I will declare
• प्रवक्ष्यामि: Kriya (क्रिया/Finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र+√वच् (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple future), परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन

• निशामय: listen/attend
• निशामय: Sambodhana-prayojaka (सम्बोधन/Directive to listener)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि+√शम् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन

• कन्दमूलफलानाम्: of tubers, roots, and fruits
• कन्दमूलफलानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्द-मूल-फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व: कन्दानि च मूलानि च फलानि च (of tubers, roots, and fruits)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात (conjunction)

• कस्तूरी: of musk
• कस्तूरी: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कस्तूरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (contextual genitive in list)

• पटवाससाम्: of garments/cloths
• पटवाससाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पट-वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: पटस्य वासांसि (cloth/garments)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It establishes a dharma principle of proportional gravity: taking even seemingly “small” goods (forest produce, luxury substances, clothing) can incur sin comparable to gold-theft, emphasizing inner integrity and respect for others’ livelihood.

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

Bhakti is supported by śuddha-ācāra (pure conduct). The verse implies that devotion to the Divine is undermined by theft; ethical restraint is a necessary foundation for sincere worship and mantra-japa.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Dharmic application rather than a specific Vedāṅga technique: a practical rule of ācāra (conduct) used in Dharmaśāstra-style adjudication of offenses and their moral weight.