Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54

The Description of the Caturdaśī Vrata Observed throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

कपिलायास्तु गोमूत्रं कृष्णाया गोमयं तथा । श्वेतायाः क्षीरमुदितं रक्तायाश्च तथा दधि ॥ ५४ ॥

Transliteration

kapilāyāstu gomūtraṃ kṛṣṇāyā gomayaṃ tathā | śvetāyāḥ kṣīramuditaṃ raktāyāśca tathā dadhi || 54 ||

Translation

黄褐色の牝牛（カピラー）には牛尿が定められ、黒い牝牛には同様に牛糞が定められる。白い牝牛には乳が説かれ、赤い牝牛にも同じくダディ（凝乳）が定められる。

Word by Word

• कपिलायाः: of the tawny (cow)
• कपिलायाः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपिला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• तु: indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विशेषार्थक-निपात (indeed/and)

• गो-मूत्रम्: cow urine
• गो-मूत्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक) + मूत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (गोः मूत्रम्)

• कृष्णायाः: of the black (cow)
• कृष्णायाः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्णा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• गो-मयम्: cow dung
• गो-मयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक) + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (गोः मयम्)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/तुल्यार्थे (likewise/also)

• श्वेतायाः: of the white (cow)
• श्वेतायाः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्वेता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• क्षीरम्: milk
• क्षीरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• उदितम्: is stated (to be)
• उदितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उदित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √वद् with उद्/उद्-?; here lexical 'उदित' = 'said/declared')
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (क्षीरस्य); क्त-प्रत्यय (past participle)

• रक्तायाः: of the red (cow)
• रक्तायाः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रक्ता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (and)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय/तुल्यार्थे (likewise)

• दधि: curd
• दधि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (teaching in an enumerative/summary mode typical of Book 1.4)

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 classifies specific cow-derived substances by the cow’s color, indicating a dharmic ritual logic for purity, consecration, and expiation practices where prescribed materials are selected with precision.

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

Indirectly: it supports bhakti-life by detailing shaucha (ritual cleanliness) and proper observance of vows and worship, which are treated as supportive disciplines for sustained Vishnu-bhakti in Purāṇic practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Kalpa-type ritual application is implied: choosing correct substances for rites (prayoga) and purification, reflecting procedural precision rather than grammar or astrology.