Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 83

The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca

Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta

Devanagari script

गुप्तरूपा गुप्तविषा मूषिका गृहगोधिकाः । नानाविषाश्च ये घोरा महोपविषसंज्ञकाः ॥ ८३ ॥

Transliteration

guptarūpā guptaviṣā mūṣikā gṛhagodhikāḥ | nānāviṣāśca ye ghorā mahopaviṣasaṃjñakāḥ || 83 ||

Translation

Ceux qui dissimulent leur forme et dissimulent leur venin—tels les rats et les lézards des maisons—ainsi que d’autres créatures terribles aux poisons variés, sont désignés comme « mahopaviṣa », le “grand poison”.

Word by Word

• गुप्तरूपाः: hidden-formed
• गुप्तरूपाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुप्त-रूप (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण; ‘गुप्तं रूपं येषाम्’ (having hidden form)

• गुप्तविषाः: concealed-poisoned
• गुप्तविषाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुप्त-विष (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण; ‘गुप्तं विषं येषाम्’ (with concealed poison)

• मूषिकाः: mice/rats
• मूषिकाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूषिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• गृहगोधिकाः: house-lizards
• गृहगोधिकाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह-गोधिका (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (गोधिका), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; ‘गृहे’ वसन्त्यः गोधिकाः (house-lizards)

• नानाविषाः: many-poisoned / of various venoms
• नानाविषाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नाना-विष (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण; ‘नानाविधानि विषाणि येषाम्’ (of many kinds of poison)

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

• ये: who/which
• ये: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक-सर्वनाम

• घोराः: terrible
• घोराः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• महोपविषसंज्ञकाः: designated as ‘mahā-upaviṣa’
• महोपविषसंज्ञकाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा-उपविष-संज्ञक (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण; ‘महोपविष’ इति संज्ञा येषाम् (called ‘mahā-upaviṣa’)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a technical, classificatory mode within Book 1.3)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka (fear)

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)

FAQs

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

It frames practical discernment (viveka) as part of dharma—recognizing hidden dangers in the world and naming/classifying them correctly, so one can act with awareness and restraint.

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

Indirectly: bhakti is lived in a disciplined life. The verse supports a devotee’s steady practice by emphasizing caution and protection of the body and household, which are instruments for sādhana.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

A technical, applied knowledge-stream aligned with Vedic auxiliary sciences—systematic classification and terminology (lakṣaṇa/saṃjñā) used for ritual and daily-life safety, akin to traditional toxicology (viṣa-vidyā).