Shloka 47

Dharmāṅgada’s Discourse (Dharmāṅgadopadeśa) in the Mohinī Episode

Devanagari script

दुर्लभं कुशलं पथ्यं दुर्लभं चौषधं तथा । व्याधेर्विघातकरणं दुर्लभं शास्त्रमार्गतः ॥ ४७ ॥

Transliteration

durlabhaṃ kuśalaṃ pathyaṃ durlabhaṃ cauṣadhaṃ tathā | vyādhervighātakaraṇaṃ durlabhaṃ śāstramārgataḥ || 47 ||

Translation

益となり相応しいことを示す巧みな導きは得難く、正しい薬もまた得難い。さらに、シャーストラの道に従えば、病を根から断つ真の方途は、いよいよ稀である。

Word by Word

• दुर्लभम्: rare
• दुर्लभम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/Adjectival predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; adjective used predicatively

• कुशलम्: well-being; skill
• कुशलम्: कर्म/विषय (Karma/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुशल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; can function as ‘well-being/skill’

• पथ्यम्: wholesome regimen/diet
• पथ्यम्: कर्म/विषय (Karma/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पथ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• दुर्लभम्: rare
• दुर्लभम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/Adjectival predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; adjective used predicatively

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• औषधम्: medicine
• औषधम्: कर्म/विषय (Karma/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: औषध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• तथा: likewise, also
• तथा: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Discourse connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण/समुच्चय (adverb/conjunctive)

• व्याधेः: of disease
• व्याधेः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्याधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन

• विघात-करणम्: the act/means of destroying (it)
• विघात-करणम्: कर्म/विषय (Karma/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विघात (प्रातिपदिक) + करण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (विघातस्य करणम् = causing destruction)

• दुर्लभम्: rare
• दुर्लभम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa/Adjectival predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्लभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; adjective used predicatively

• शास्त्र-मार्गतः: according to the scriptural path
• शास्त्र-मार्गतः: अपादान/हेतु (Ablatival source/according to)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + तस् (तसिल्-प्रत्यय, अव्ययार्थ)
• Form: अव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb) ‘-तः’; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषपूर्वपद (शास्त्रस्य मार्गः)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

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

It teaches that genuine healing is not merely medical—it is the rare, śāstra-aligned discipline that removes the underlying causes of suffering, guiding one toward dharmic living and inner purification.

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

By implying that the highest remedy is found through śāstra-mārga, it supports Bhakti as a disciplined, scripturally guided practice where right conduct and devotion become the deeper cure for life’s afflictions.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse highlights śāstric method (śāstra-mārga) and practical discipline—akin to applying codified guidance for conduct and regimen; while not naming a Vedāṅga directly, it reflects the importance of textual authority and correct procedure in applied knowledge.