Shloka 12

Procedure for the Guḍa-dhenū (Jaggery-Cow) Gift; Ten Dhenu-dānas; Yearlong Gaṅgā Worship and Darśana

Devanagari script

ताम्रगंडूकपृष्ठौ तौ सितचामरलोमकौ । विद्रुमक्रमगोपेतौ नवनीतस्तनान्वितौ ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

tāmragaṃḍūkapṛṣṭhau tau sitacāmaralomakau | vidrumakramagopetau navanītastanānvitau || 12 ||

Translation

その二つの背は銅の水壺のごとく、毛はチャーマラ（chāmara）の房のように白かった。歩みは珊瑚のごとき足で飾られ、乳房は新しいバターのように満ちて柔らかであった。

Word by Word

• tāmra-gaṃḍūka-pṛṣṭhau: with copper-colored backs (like a gaṃḍūka)
• tāmra-gaṃḍūka-pṛṣṭhau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tāmra (प्रातिपदिक) + gaṃḍūka (प्रातिपदिक) + pṛṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Dual); विशेषण

• tau: those two
• tau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Dual)

• sita-cāmara-lomakau: having white yak-tail-like hair
• sita-cāmara-lomakau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sita (प्रातिपदिक) + cāmara (प्रातिपदिक) + lomaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Dual); विशेषण

• vidruma-krama-go-petau: endowed with coral-like steps/hooves (gait)
• vidruma-krama-go-petau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vidruma (प्रातिपदिक) + krama (प्रातिपदिक) + go (प्रातिपदिक) + upeta (कृदन्त; √i ‘to go’ उपसर्ग upa-)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Dual); विशेषण

• navanīta-stana-anvitau: provided with butter-like udders/teats
• navanīta-stana-anvitau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषणम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: navanīta (प्रातिपदिक) + stana (प्रातिपदिक) + anvita (कृदन्त; √i ‘to go’ उपसर्ग anu-)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, द्विवचन (Masculine, Nominative, Dual); विशेषण

Speaker

Narada (narration within Uttara-Bhaga Mahatmya style description)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It uses auspicious bodily imagery to mark the described figures as divinely blessed—suggesting purity, sacred presence, and the merit (puṇya) associated with the tirtha/scene being narrated.

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

Rather than giving doctrine directly, it supports bhakti by evoking reverent contemplation (smaraṇa) through sacred description—encouraging the listener to approach the holy setting with devotion and faith.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No explicit Vedanga instruction appears; the verse is primarily poetic-lakṣaṇa (descriptive imagery). Its practical takeaway is cultivating śraddhā through mahatmya-style narration used in Purāṇic recitation.