Shloka 63

Rukmāṅgada–Vāmadeva Saṃvāda: Ahimsa, Hunting, and the Fruit of Dvādaśī-Bhakti

Devanagari script

निशीथेंऽगानि संवाह्य द्वारि तिष्ठति दंशितः । प्रबोधयन्प्रेष्यजनान्निद्रया संकुलेंद्रियान् ॥ ६३ ॥

Transliteration

niśītheṃ'gāni saṃvāhya dvāri tiṣṭhati daṃśitaḥ | prabodhayanpreṣyajanānnidrayā saṃkuleṃdriyān || 63 ||

Translation

ಮಧ್ಯರಾತ್ರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ದಂಶಿತನಾದವನು ಅಂಗಗಳನ್ನು ಮಸಾಜ್ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾ ಬಾಗಿಲಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಂತಿರುತ್ತಾನೆ. ನಿದ್ರೆಯಿಂದ ಮಸುಕಾದ ಇಂದ್ರಿಯಗಳಿರುವ ಸೇವಕರನ್ನು ಎಚ್ಚರಿಸುತ್ತಾನೆ.

Word by Word

• निशीथे: at midnight
• निशीथे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निशीथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचन; Locative singular

• अङ्गानि: limbs
• अङ्गानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Accusative plural

• संवाह्य: having rubbed/massaged
• संवाह्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-वाह् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; having massaged

• द्वारि: at the door
• द्वारि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी विभक्ति, एकवचन; Locative singular

• तिष्ठति: stands
• तिष्ठति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्था (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; Present indicative 3rd sg

• दंशितः: bitten/stung
• दंशितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दंशित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from दंश्/दंश् ‘to bite’, past passive participle)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; PPP used adjectivally; Nominative singular

• प्रबोधयन्: awakening
• प्रबोधयन्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-बुध् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ (वर्तमान कृदन्त/Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘while awakening’

• प्रेष्यजनान्: servants/attendants
• प्रेष्यजनान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रेष्यजन (प्रातिपदिक; प्रेष्य + जन)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Accusative plural

• निद्रया: by sleep
• निद्रया: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण) विभक्ति, एकवचन; Instrumental singular

• संकुलेन्द्रियान्: with senses confused/overwhelmed
• संकुलेन्द्रियान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संकुल + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (इन्द्रिय), द्वितीया विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Accusative plural; qualifies प्रेष्यजनान् via ‘their senses’ (bahuvrīhi sense possible)

Speaker

Narada (narrative voice within the Uttara-Bhaga context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"karuna","secondary_rasa":"bhayanaka","emotional_journey":"Midnight distress and bodily pain (bite/affliction) moves into urgent action—seeking help by waking attendants."}

FAQs

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

It uses a vivid midnight scene to convey urgency and human vulnerability—when afflicted, one must rouse oneself and others to act, reflecting the Purana’s emphasis on timely, deliberate effort in dharma and worship.

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

By portraying awakening from sleep and confusion, it metaphorically aligns with bhakti as ‘jāgaraṇa’—becoming spiritually alert and turning promptly toward right action and remembrance rather than remaining in inertia.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

A practical takeaway is the awareness of time (niśītha—midnight), relevant to ritual timing and observance; while not a technical Vedanga exposition, it echoes the importance of correct kāla (time) in karma-kāṇḍa practice.