Shloka 38

Mohinī-prashna

The Question about Mohinī

Devanagari script

कामयंति द्विजश्रेष्ठास्ततोऽन्नं ह्यमृतं परम् । पिपीलिकापि क्षुधिता मुखेनादाय तण्डुलम् ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

kāmayaṃti dvijaśreṣṭhāstato'nnaṃ hyamṛtaṃ param | pipīlikāpi kṣudhitā mukhenādāya taṇḍulam || 38 ||

Translation

それゆえ、最勝の二度生まれ（ドヴィジャ）たちは食を願う。食はまことに至上の甘露だからである。飢えた蟻でさえ、口に米粒一つをくわえてそれを求める。

Word by Word

• kāmayaṃti: desire
• kāmayaṃti: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kam (धातु) [causative: kāmay-]
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (Present), Parasmaipada, Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person), Bahuvacana (Plural); ṇijanta (causative) usage: ‘desire/wish for’

• dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ: the best of the twice-born (Brahmins)
• dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija + śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound (‘best among dvijas’); Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Prathamā (Nominative, 1st), Bahuvacana (Plural)

• tataḥ: therefore/then
• tataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (adverb): ‘therefore/then/from that’

• annam: food
• annam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakalिङ्ग (Neuter), Dvitīyā (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta/particle (indeed/for)

• amṛtam: immortal/nectar-like
• amṛtam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: amṛta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakalिङ्ग (Neuter), Dvitīyā (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana (Singular); adjective qualifying ‘annam’

• param: supreme
• param: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakalिङ्ग (Neuter), Dvitīyā (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana (Singular); adjective qualifying ‘annam’

• pipīlikā: an ant
• pipīlikā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pipīlikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (Feminine), Prathamā (Nominative, 1st), Ekavacana (Singular)

• api: even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta/particle (even/also)

• kṣudhitā: hungry
• kṣudhitā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṣudhita (कृदन्त; √kṣudh (धातु) + kta)
• Form: Strīliṅga (Feminine), Prathamā (Nominative, 1st), Ekavacana (Singular); kta-participle used adjectivally

• mukhena: with (its) mouth
• mukhena: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napuṃsakalिङ्ग (Neuter), Tṛtīyā (Instrumental, 3rd), Ekavacana (Singular)

• ādāya: having taken
• ādāya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया/Gerundial action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√dā (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (त्वान्त/ल्यप्): ‘having taken’

• taṇḍulam: a grain of rice
• taṇḍulam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: taṇḍula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga (Masculine), Dvitīyā (Accusative, 2nd), Ekavacana (Singular)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Dvija (twice-born)

FAQs

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

It elevates annam (food) as “supreme nectar,” teaching that sustaining life is a foremost dharma; hence anna-dāna is praised as a high merit-giving act, especially in sacred contexts.

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

By highlighting food as life-sustaining and universally sought, it supports bhakti expressed through seva—feeding devotees, guests, and the needy as an offering aligned with compassion and reverence for life.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is ritual-dharma application—prioritizing anna-dāna and hospitality (atithi-satkara) as a concrete, merit-bearing practice.