Shloka 81

Pātivratya-kathana

The Narrative of the Pativrata

Devanagari script

बाह्याभ्यंगविहीनाहं संस्थास्ये दिनसंचयम् । जीवतां रोगहीनो हि भर्ता मे शरदां शतम् ॥ ८१ ॥

Transliteration

bāhyābhyaṃgavihīnāhaṃ saṃsthāsye dinasaṃcayam | jīvatāṃ rogahīno hi bhartā me śaradāṃ śatam || 81 ||

Translation

“ಬಾಹ್ಯ ಅಭ್ಯಂಗ (ಎಣ್ಣೆ ಮಸಾಜು) ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ನಾನು ದಿನದಿಂದ ದಿನಕ್ಕೆ ಕ್ಷೀಣಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ. ನಾನು ಜೀವಂತಿರುವವರೆಗೆ ನನ್ನ ಭರ್ತಾ ರೋಗರಹಿತನಾಗಿ ನೂರು ಶರತ್ತುಗಳು (ನೂರು ವರ್ಷ) ಬದುಕಲಿ.”

Word by Word

• बाह्य-अभ्यङ्ग-विहीना: without external oil-massage
• बाह्य-अभ्यङ्ग-विहीना: Karta (कर्ता) (as predicate adjective of subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बाह्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अभ्यङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + विहीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (बाह्येन अभ्यङ्गेन विहीना) — 'devoid of external oil-massage' (predicate of अहम्)

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — 'I'

• संस्थास्ये: I will remain/continue
• संस्थास्ये: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-स्था (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple Future/भविष्यत्), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद — 'I will remain/continue (in that state)'

• दिन-संचयम्: for a collection of days (for many days)
• दिन-संचयम्: Karma (कर्म) (extent/duration complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दिन (प्रातिपदिक) + संचय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (दिनानां संचयः) — 'a collection/accumulation of days' (duration/extent as object-like complement)

• जीवताम्: while (they) live / of the living
• जीवताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध) (circumstantial/genitive)
• Type: Verb
• Root: जीव् (धातु) → जीवत् (कृदन्त, शतृ)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त; षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन — 'of those living / while (they) live' (genitive absolute-like usage)

• रोग-हीनः: disease-free
• रोग-हीनः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रोग (प्रातिपदिक) + हीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; (रोगेण हीनः) — 'free from disease' (qualifies भर्ता)

• हि: indeed/for
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (reason/emphasis particle) — 'indeed/for'

• भर्ता: husband
• भर्ता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन — 'husband' (subject, implied 'will be')

• मे: my
• मे: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध) (possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन — 'my/of me'

• शरदाम्: of years (autumns)
• शरदाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध) (measure/genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शरद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), बहुवचन — 'of autumns/years' (genitive with numeral)

• शतम्: a hundred
• शतम्: Karma (कर्म) (extent/measure complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; संख्यावाचक — 'a hundred' (measure of duration)

Speaker

A devoted wife (pativratā) speaking (narrative voice within Uttara-Bhaga Mahatmya context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It expresses vrata-minded self-restraint and self-sacrifice for another’s welfare, framing bodily austerity as a dharmic offering directed toward the husband’s ārogya (freedom from disease) and dīrghāyu (long life).

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

Bhakti here appears as steadfast dedication (niṣṭhā) and loving intention: the speaker accepts personal hardship while praying for the beloved’s well-being, reflecting devotion expressed through vow, prayer, and faithful conduct.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

A practical takeaway aligns with Kalpa (ritual discipline) and Dharmaśāstra-style vrata practice: regulated abstinence (e.g., from abhyaṅga) is treated as a vow-component, coupled with a longevity benediction ('śaradaḥ śatam').