Shloka 59

Dharmāṅgada’s Discourse (Dharmāṅgadopadeśa) in the Mohinī Episode

Devanagari script

आत्मा रक्ष्यो धनैर्दारैरथवापि निजात्मजैः । अपत्यं धर्मकामार्थं श्रेयस्कामस्य भूपतेः ॥ ५९ ॥

Transliteration

ātmā rakṣyo dhanairdārairathavāpi nijātmajaiḥ | apatyaṃ dharmakāmārthaṃ śreyaskāmasya bhūpateḥ || 59 ||

Translation

王よ、人は自らの身を守るべきである—財によってであれ、妻によってであれ、あるいは自らの子らによってであれ。子はダルマと世の目的のために求められるが、最高の善（シュレーヤス）を願う者にとって第一の務めは自己の護持である。

Word by Word

• ātmā: self / life
• ātmā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• rakṣyaḥ: to be protected
• rakṣyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rakṣya (रक्ष् धातु, कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण; ‘रक्षणीय/रक्ष्य’ (gerundive)

• dhanaiḥ: by wealth
• dhanaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• dāraiḥ: by wife/wives
• dāraiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (सामान्यतः बहुवचनान्त), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• athavā: or
• athavā: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: athavā (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-अव्यय (disjunctive particle: or)

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय/अपि-कारक (particle: also/even)

• nija-ātmajaiḥ: by one’s own sons
• nija-ātmajaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nija (प्रातिपदिक) + ātmaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; कर्मधारय-समासः ‘निजाः आत्मजाः’

• apatyam: offspring
• apatyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: apatya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; अत्र विषय/उद्देश्यरूपेण

• dharma-kāma-artham: for dharma, desire, and wealth
• dharma-kāma-artham: Prayojana (प्रयोजन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + kāma (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (धर्मश्च कामश्च अर्थश्च)

• śreyas-kāmasya: of one who desires the highest good
• śreyas-kāmasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śreyas (प्रातिपदिक) + kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘श्रेयसः कामः यस्य’ (or ‘श्रेयः कामयते’)

• bhūpateḥ: of the king
• bhūpateḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्धः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūpati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada

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 teaches that while wealth, spouse, and children can serve as supports, the highest priority—especially for one seeking śreyas (ultimate welfare/liberation)—is guarding and disciplining the self (ātmā) through right conduct and discernment.

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

By shifting reliance away from purely worldly securities toward the inner self aimed at śreyas, it aligns with bhakti’s core move: taking refuge in the highest truth (ultimately Bhagavān) rather than treating family or possessions as final shelter.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is directly taught; the verse is primarily nīti/dharma instruction—prioritizing śreyas-oriented self-governance over dependence on external supports.