Shloka 41

Kāṣṭhīla-Upākhyāna: Rākṣasī, Spear-Śakti, and Kāśī as Śakti-kṣetra

Devanagari script

गौतमो गौतमो विप्र गोपचेष्टापरायणः । वेदबाह्यार्थसंयुक्तशास्त्री वेदोपकार कृत् ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

gautamo gautamo vipra gopaceṣṭāparāyaṇaḥ | vedabāhyārthasaṃyuktaśāstrī vedopakāra kṛt || 41 ||

Translation

«Gautama—Gautama assurément, ô brāhmane—toujours voué à la conduite et aux devoirs du gardien de vaches; savant expositeur du śāstra, reliant son enseignement aussi à des sens au-delà du Veda, et serviteur du Veda.»

Word by Word

• गौतमः: Gautama
• गौतमः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौतम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ऋषि-नाम

• गौतमः: Gautama
• गौतमः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौतम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; पुनरुक्ति (emphasis)

• विप्र: O Brahmin
• विप्र: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Vocative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन; संबोधन (address)

• गोपचेष्टापरायणः: devoted to cowherd-like conduct
• गोपचेष्टापरायणः: Karta-anvayi Viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृसमन्वयी विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गोप + चेष्टा + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (गोपचेष्टायां परायणः/‘devoted to the conduct of a cowherd’); विशेषण

• वेदबाह्यार्थसंयुक्तशास्त्री: a śāstrin connected with meanings outside the Veda
• वेदबाह्यार्थसंयुक्तशास्त्री: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद + बाह्य + अर्थ + संयुक्त + शास्त्रिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः; ‘शास्त्री’ = शास्त्रिन् (one learned in śāstra); ‘वेदबाह्यार्थसंयुक्त’ = वेदस्य बाह्यैः अर्थैः संयुक्तः (connected with meanings external to the Veda) इति पूर्वपद-विशेषण

• वेदोपकारकृत्: one who renders service to the Veda
• वेदोपकारकृत्: Karta-anvayi Viśeṣaṇa (कर्तृसमन्वयी विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेद + उपकार + कृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (वेदस्य उपकारं करोति/‘one who benefits the Veda’); विशेषण

Speaker

Suta (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"adbhuta","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_journey":"Wonder at a paradoxical saint-scholar: a brāhmaṇa ‘Gautama’ devoted to cowherd-like conduct, ending in calm affirmation of service to the Veda."}

Characters & Entities

• Gautama

FAQs

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

It praises a model of dharmic scholarship: one who lives humbly, teaches śāstra, and actively supports the Veda—showing that true learning is validated by service (upakāra) and conduct.

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

By highlighting humble, service-oriented conduct (“gopa-ceṣṭā”), the verse aligns learning with a bhakti-like ethos: simplicity and dedication that support sacred tradition rather than mere intellectual display.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes śāstric expertise and interpretive method—linking Vedic meaning with auxiliary or external frameworks—akin to how Vedāṅgas (especially Vyākaraṇa and Nirukta) support understanding and preservation of Vedic teaching.