Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 139

Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa

The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala

Devanagari script

शतयोजनदूरादप्यानयेद्वनितां बलात् । वशयेद्वनितां होंमात्कौशिकैर्मधुमिश्रितैः ॥ १३९ ॥

Transliteration

śatayojanadūrādapyānayedvanitāṃ balāt | vaśayedvanitāṃ hoṃmātkauśikairmadhumiśritaiḥ || 139 ||

Translation

Même à la distance de cent yojanas, on dit qu’on pourrait amener une femme par la force ; et par le homa, l’offrande au feu avec de l’herbe kuśa mêlée de miel, on pourrait la mettre sous emprise.

Word by Word

• शत-योजन-दूरात्: from a distance of a hundred yojanas
• शत-योजन-दूरात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत (प्रातिपदिक) + योजन (प्रातिपदिक) + दूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान/ablative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (शतयोजनस्य दूरम् → शतयोजनदूरम्)

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात/particle (even/also)

• आनयेत्: should bring
• आनयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नी (धातु) उपसर्गः आ-
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्; धातुः—नी (to lead/bring)

• वनिताम्: a woman
• वनिताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वनिता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म/accusative), एकवचन

• बलात्: by force
• बलात्: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (हेतु/ablative—'by force/from force'), एकवचन; अव्ययीभावार्थे प्रयोगः

• वशयेत्: should subdue/control
• वशयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वश् (धातु) णिच् (causative)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपदम्; धातुः—वश् (to control) → वशयति (to subdue)

• वनिताम्: a woman
• वनिताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वनिता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• होमात्: by (means of) a fire-offering
• होमात्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: होम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान/ablative—'by/from the oblation'), एकवचन

• कौशिकैः: with owls (kauśika-birds)
• कौशिकैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कौशिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/instrumental), बहुवचन; 'कौशिक' = owl (or related)

• मधु-मिश्रितैः: mixed with honey
• मधु-मिश्रितैः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मधु (प्रातिपदिक) + मिश्रित (कृदन्त; मिश्र् धातोः क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (मधुना मिश्रितः)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within a technical/ritual-science section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: raudra

FAQs

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

The verse occurs in a technical (prayoga) setting and illustrates the claimed potency attributed to homa and mantra-based procedures; spiritually, it serves as a reminder that ritual power (kriyā-śakti) is considered effective in the text, though its ethical use is governed by dharma.

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

This verse does not teach bhakti directly; instead, it contrasts technical ritual efficacy with the broader Purāṇic emphasis that higher aims (śreyas) are ultimately fulfilled through dharma and devotion rather than coercive applications of ritual.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual procedure (homa-prayoga) and material specifications—use of kuśa-grass and honey—reflecting applied Vedic ritual knowledge connected with Kalpa (ritual science) rather than grammar or astrology.