Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 52

Gaṅgā-māhātmya: Bāhu’s Envy, Defeat, Forest Exile, and Aurva’s Dharmic Consolation

Devanagari script

बालापत्याश्च गर्भिण्यो ह्यदृष्टऋतवस्तथा । रजस्वला राजसुते नारोहन्ति चितां शुभे ॥ ५२ ॥

Transliteration

bālāpatyāśca garbhiṇyo hyadṛṣṭaṛtavastathā | rajasvalā rājasute nārohanti citāṃ śubhe || 52 ||

Translation

Ô princesse de bon augure, les femmes ayant de jeunes enfants, les femmes enceintes, celles qui n’ont pas encore eu leurs règles, et celles qui les ont, ne montent pas sur le bûcher funéraire.

Word by Word

• बाला-अपत्याः: women with small children
• बाला-अपत्याः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाल (प्रातिपदिक) + अपत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय (having a young child/with infant offspring)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• गर्भिण्यः: pregnant women
• गर्भिण्यः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गर्भिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• हि: indeed
• हि: सम्बन्धसूचक (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), निश्चयार्थ (indeed)

• अदृष्ट-ऋतवः: those who have not yet menstruated
• अदृष्ट-ऋतवः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अ (नञ्) + दृष्ट (कृदन्त, क्त; दृश्) + ऋतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहि (those whose menses/season has not appeared)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकारवाचक (adverb: likewise)

• रजस्वलाः: menstruating women
• रजस्वलाः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रजस्वला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• राज-सुते: O princess
• राज-सुते: सम्बोधन (Sambodhana)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राज (प्रातिपदिक) + सुता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (daughter of a king)

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

• आरोहन्ति: ascend/climb
• आरोहन्ति: क्रिया (Kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ+रुह् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन, परस्मैपद

• चिताम्: the pyre
• चिताम्: कर्म (Karma/Object of आरोहन्ति)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चिता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• शुभे: O auspicious one
• शुभे: सम्बोधन (Sambodhana)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative), एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to a princess/rajaputri within the dharma-vidhi context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

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

It frames funeral-rite eligibility (adhikāra) as a dharmic safeguard, emphasizing śauca (ritual purity) and protection of vulnerable life-stages (pregnancy, early motherhood, and pre-puberty) rather than heroic display.

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

Indirectly, it supports bhakti through disciplined dharma: by following prescribed conduct in rites, devotees maintain order (dharma) that sustains sattva and steadiness for Vishnu-bhakti and remembrance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa (ritual procedure) and śauca-vidhi are implied—practical rules of eligibility and conduct in antyeṣṭi (funeral rites), including considerations related to ṛtu/rajas (menstrual status).