Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9

Yamapatha (The Road of Yama), Dāna-Phala, and the Imperishable Fruition of Karma

Devanagari script

वप्राग्रारोहणं चैव कन्दरस्य प्रवेशनम् । शर्कराश्च तथा लोष्टाः सूचीतुल्याश्च कण्टकाः ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

vaprāgrārohaṇaṃ caiva kandarasya praveśanam | śarkarāśca tathā loṣṭāḥ sūcītulyāśca kaṇṭakāḥ || 9 ||

Translation

Mendaki puncak tanggul, memasuki jurang, tersandung kerikil dan gumpal tanah, serta tertusuk duri setajam jarum—demikianlah kesukaran yang ditemui di sana.

Word by Word

• वप्राग्रारोहणम्: climbing the embankment’s crest
• वप्राग्रारोहणम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वप्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आरोहण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष: ‘वप्रस्य अग्रे आरोहणम्’ (climbing the top/edge of an embankment)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• एव: indeed, just
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle) — emphasis ‘indeed/just’

• कन्दरस्य: of a cave/gorge
• कन्दरस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्दर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• प्रवेशनम्: entering
• प्रवेशनम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्र (उपसर्ग) + √विश् (धातु) + अन (प्रत्यय) / प्रवेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भाववाचक—‘entering’

• शर्कराः: gravel, pebbles
• शर्कराः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शर्करा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• तथा: also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—‘also/likewise’

• लोष्टाः: clods (of earth/stone)
• लोष्टाः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• सूचीतुल्याः: needle-like
• सूचीतुल्याः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सूची (प्रातिपदिक) + तुल्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष: ‘सूच्याः तुल्याः’ (like needles)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• कण्टकाः: thorns
• कण्टकाः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कण्टक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, describing obstacles on a difficult course of life/practice)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

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

It uses vivid terrain imagery to convey that the chosen path of higher discipline and dharma is not comfortable; it demands endurance, alertness, and steadiness despite painful obstacles.

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

By emphasizing hardship and persistence, it indirectly teaches that bhakti is sustained not by ease but by unwavering commitment—continuing remembrance and service even when the journey feels like crossing thorny ground.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana or Jyotisha) is directly taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is sadhana-nīti—careful, disciplined conduct and resilience while pursuing dharma and moksha.