Shloka 58

The Liberation of the Lizard

Godhā-vimukti

Devanagari script

असत्यवचनाद्भीतो दुःखाद्दुःखतरं गतः । तस्य सत्येन संतुष्टादेवाः शक्रपुरोगमाः ॥ ५८ ॥

Transliteration

asatyavacanādbhīto duḥkhādduḥkhataraṃ gataḥ | tasya satyena saṃtuṣṭādevāḥ śakrapurogamāḥ || 58 ||

Translation

Craignant de proférer le mensonge, il passa d’une souffrance à une souffrance plus grande encore. Mais lorsqu’il demeura fidèle à la vérité, les dieux—conduits par Śakra (Indra)—furent satisfaits de lui.

Word by Word

• असत्यवचनात्: from false speech / because of untruthful words
• असत्यवचनात्: Apadana (अपादान/Ablative cause-source)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असत्य + वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषः (असत्यं वचनम्)

• भीतः: afraid
• भीतः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भी (धातु) + त (क्त/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle)

• दुःखात्: from suffering
• दुःखात्: Apadana (अपादान/Ablative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुःख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन

• दुःखतरम्: greater suffering
• दुःखतरम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of motion)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुःख + तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तुलनात्मक (comparative)

• गतः: having gone / having reached
• गतः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गम् (धातु) + त (क्त/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle)

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• सत्येन: by (his) truth
• सत्येन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• सन्तुष्टाः: satisfied
• सन्तुष्टाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + तुष् (धातु) + त (क्त/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त

• देवाः: the gods
• देवाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• शक्रपुरोगमाः: with Indra in the lead
• शक्रपुरोगमाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शक्र + पुरोगम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—बहुव्रीहिः (शक्रः पुरोगमो येषाम्)

Speaker

Narada (narrating within a Tirtha/Mahatmya discourse of Uttara-Bhaga)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Shakra (Indra)
• Devas

FAQs

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

It teaches that untruth (asatya) deepens suffering, while truthfulness (satya) restores divine harmony—so satya is presented as a direct dharmic remedy that brings higher approval and auspicious results.

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

Bhakti in the Narada Purana is grounded in dharma; truthfulness purifies speech and intention, making one fit for divine grace. The verse implies that pleasing the higher powers begins with satya, a foundational discipline supporting devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It emphasizes disciplined speech (vāṅ-niyama), aligning with Śikṣā (phonetics/discipline of utterance) and Vyākaraṇa (correct usage), because ethical and accurate speech is treated as a practical tool for dharmic living.