Shloka 9

Mohinī-prashna

The Question about Mohinī

Devanagari script

शुभं गतिप्रदं प्रोक्तं संप्राप्ते हरिवासरे । ज्वरमध्ये कृतं पथ्यं निधनाय प्रकल्पते ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

śubhaṃ gatipradaṃ proktaṃ saṃprāpte harivāsare | jvaramadhye kṛtaṃ pathyaṃ nidhanāya prakalpate || 9 ||

Translation

Cet acte est proclamé auspicious et dispensateur de la suprême destinée lorsqu’il est accompli au jour de Hari ; mais la même observance, entreprise au cœur de la fièvre, n’est « salutaire » que de nom et l’on dit qu’elle mène à la mort.

Word by Word

• शुभम्: auspicious
• शुभम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• गतिप्रदम्: granting (good) destiny/progress
• गतिप्रदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: ‘गतेः प्रदम्’

• प्रोक्तम्: declared
• प्रोक्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-वच् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; agrees with शुभम्/गतिप्रदम्

• संप्राप्ते: when (it has) arrived
• संप्राप्ते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-प्र-आप् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त used adjectivally, सप्तमी (7th/locative), एकवचन; ‘when (it is) arrived’

• हरिवासरे: on Hari’s day (Ekādaśī)
• हरिवासरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरिवासर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/locative), एकवचन; compound हरि + वासर

• ज्वरमध्ये: in the midst of fever
• ज्वरमध्ये: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्वर (प्रातिपदिक) + मध्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/locative), एकवचन; सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष: ‘ज्वरे मध्ये’

• कृतम्: done, undertaken
• कृतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; qualifies पथ्यम्

• पथ्यम्: wholesome regimen/medicine
• पथ्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पथ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• निधनाय: for death, leading to death
• निधनाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (4th/dative), एकवचन; purpose/result

• प्रकल्पते: is fit/turns out, results
• प्रकल्पते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-कल्प् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a Vaiṣṇava-vrata/tithi context; traditionally narrated within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue frame)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Ekadashi

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"bhakti","secondary_rasa":"bhayanaka","emotional_journey":"Affirms the auspicious, liberating power of Hari’s day observance, then sharply warns that the same rigor during fever can turn fatal."}

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Vishnu)

FAQs

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

It teaches that auspicious Vaiṣṇava observances give spiritual upliftment when done at the proper time and with fitness, but dharma is not served by self-harm—undertaking a vow during serious illness can become spiritually and physically counterproductive.

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

Bhakti is framed as disciplined devotion to Hari, guided by right occasion (Harivāra) and right capacity; devotion is not mere austerity, but a wise, sustainable offering aligned with dharmic prudence.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa-style ritual pragmatics: rules of observance include exceptions based on eligibility (adhikāra) and bodily condition, emphasizing correct application of vrata/niyama rather than rigid, harmful literalism.