Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 91

The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca

Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta

Devanagari script

ये चाक्षेमप्रदातारः कूटमायाविनश्च ये । मारणोत्सादनोन्मूलद्वेषमोहनकारकाः ॥ ९१ ॥

Transliteration

ye cākṣemapradātāraḥ kūṭamāyāvinaśca ye | māraṇotsādanonmūladveṣamohanakārakāḥ || 91 ||

Translation

Et ceux qui engendrent l’insécurité et le mal, et ceux qui pratiquent une sorcellerie trompeuse—ceux qui causent meurtre, ruine, déracinement, haine et égarement illusoire.

Word by Word

• ye: those who
• ye: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); relative pronoun (सम्बन्ध-सर्वनाम)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• akṣema-pradātāraḥ: givers of insecurity / bringers of harm
• akṣema-pradātāraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: akṣema + pradātṛ (प्रातिपदिक; दा-धातु से तृन् प्रत्यय)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; षष्ठी/कर्मधारय-प्रायः तत्पुरुषः—‘अक्षेमं प्रददाति’ इति (one who gives non-welfare/insecurity)

• kūṭa-māyāvinaḥ: deceitful tricksters
• kūṭa-māyāvinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kūṭa + māyāvin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; कर्मधारयः—‘कूटः (कपटः) मायावी’

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• ye: those who
• ye: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-निर्देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; relative pronoun

• māraṇa-utsādana-unmūla-dveṣa-mohana-kārakāḥ: causers of killing, ruin, uprooting, hatred, and delusion
• māraṇa-utsādana-unmūla-dveṣa-mohana-kārakāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māraṇa + utsādana + unmūla + dveṣa + mohana + kāraka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समासः—‘मारणं/उत्सादनं/उन्मूलनं/द्वेषं/मोहनं करोति’

Speaker

Narada (in instruction/dialogue context with the Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

FAQs

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

It marks certain harmful, deceptive practices—creating fear, hatred, delusion, and destruction—as adharmic, warning seekers to avoid such acts that darken the mind and obstruct spiritual progress.

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

Bhakti is grounded in purity, compassion, and truthfulness; this verse contrasts devotion with actions rooted in deceit and harm, which are incompatible with a Vishnu-bhakti oriented life.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It indirectly sets an ethical boundary for technical knowledge: skills and mantras must not be used for marana, mohana, or dveṣa-producing aims—true śāstric practice supports welfare (kṣema), not harm (akṣema).