Shloka 20

Mohinī-ākhyāna: The Trial of Ekādaśī and the King’s Satya-saṅkalpa

Devanagari script

भवद्भिर्नोचितं वक्तुं प्रतिकूलं व्रतापहम् । असंपरीक्ष्य ये दद्युः प्रायश्चित्तं द्विजातयः ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

bhavadbhirnocitaṃ vaktuṃ pratikūlaṃ vratāpaham | asaṃparīkṣya ye dadyuḥ prāyaścittaṃ dvijātayaḥ || 20 ||

Translation

汝らがダルマに背き、誓戒を損なう言葉を語るのは相応しくない。事を吟味せずに贖罪（プラーヤシュチッタ）を定める二度生まれは、誤りを犯す。

Word by Word

• bhavadbhiḥ: by you (respected ones)
• bhavadbhiḥ: Karana (करण/instrument/agentive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavat (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: भवत्-शब्द (आदरार्थक सर्वनाम); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (negative particle)

• ucitam: proper/appropriate
• ucitam: Karma (कर्म/object-complement)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ucita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण; ‘उचित’ (proper)

• vaktum: to say
• vaktum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (infinitive); ‘to speak’

• pratikūlam: unfavorable/contrary
• pratikūlam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pratikūla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• vrata-apaham: that which destroys the vow
• vrata-apaham: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vrata (प्रातिपदिक) + apaha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण; तत्पुरुष-समास (व्रतस्य अपहः/अपहरणं करोति इति)

• asaṃparīkṣya: without examining
• asaṃparīkṣya: Kriya-visheṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari-īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त; उपसर्गः परि-; नञ्-पूर्वक (a-); ‘without examining’

• ye: who (those who)
• ye: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: सम्बन्धवाचक-सर्वनाम; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• dadyuḥ: would give / might prescribe
• dadyuḥ: Kriya (क्रिया/predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• prāyaścittam: expiation/penance
• prāyaścittam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prāyaścitta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• dvijātayaḥ: twice-born men
• dvijātayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvijāti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue on dharma/prāyaścitta principles)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none (talks about vows generally: vrata-apaha = vow-destroying)

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"vira","emotional_journey":"Measured admonition against rash speech/judgment, strengthening into principled firmness about proper dharma procedure."}

FAQs

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

It teaches that dharma must be applied with discernment: penance should heal a fault, not become a new harm that breaks one’s vow and spiritual discipline.

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

By protecting vows and disciplined practice, it safeguards the devotee’s steady sādhana; careless prescriptions that disrupt vrata weaken consistent worship and remembrance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It emphasizes dharma-vicāra (case-based examination) aligned with śāstra and ritual procedure—an applied discipline closely tied to Kalpa (ritual method) and Smṛti-based adjudication.