Shloka 43

Mohinī-prashna

The Question about Mohinī

Devanagari script

नारीणां भर्तृशूश्रूषा पुत्राणां पितृसेवनम् । शूद्राणां द्विजसेवा च लोकरक्षा महीभृताम् ॥ ४३ ॥

Transliteration

nārīṇāṃ bhartṛśūśrūṣā putrāṇāṃ pitṛsevanam | śūdrāṇāṃ dvijasevā ca lokarakṣā mahībhṛtām || 43 ||

Translation

Pour les femmes, le service dévoué au mari ; pour les fils, l’assistance au père ; pour les Śūdras, le service rendu aux deux-fois-nés ; et pour les rois, la protection du peuple : tels sont leurs devoirs propres.

Word by Word

• नारीणाम्: of women
• नारीणाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन

• भर्तृ-शुश्रूषा: service to the husband
• भर्तृ-शुश्रूषा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक) + शुश्रूषा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (भर्तुः शुश्रूषा)

• पुत्राणाम्: of sons
• पुत्राणाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन

• पितृ-सेवनम्: service to the father/parents
• पितृ-सेवनम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक) + सेवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पितुः/पितॄणां सेवनम्)

• शूद्राणाम्: of śūdras
• शूद्राणाम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन

• द्विज-सेवा: service to the twice-born
• द्विज-सेवा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक) + सेवा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (द्विजस्य सेवा)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• लोक-रक्षा: protection of the people/world
• लोक-रक्षा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक) + रक्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (लोकस्य रक्षा)

• मही-भृताम्: of kings
• मही-भृताम्: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही (प्रातिपदिक) + भृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (महीं भृत् = 'earth-bearer' → king)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It frames dharma as role-based responsibility: spiritual merit is gained by faithfully performing one’s prescribed duty—service, respect for elders, and protection of society—rather than by abandoning one’s station.

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

By presenting service (śūśrūṣā/sevā) and protection (rakṣā) as sacred acts, it supports the bhakti principle that everyday duties, when done with sincerity and reverence, become offerings aligned with divine order (dharma).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught here; the practical takeaway is dharma-śāstra application—how prescribed conduct (ācāra) sustains social and ritual order.