Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy

Devanagari script

व्याघ्रपीडा शिवापीडा तथा महिषमीडनम् । कर्द्दमे शयनं चैव दुर्गन्धपरिपूरणम् ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

vyāghrapīḍā śivāpīḍā tathā mahiṣamīḍanam | karddame śayanaṃ caiva durgandhaparipūraṇam || 17 ||

Translation

കടുവകളുടെ പീഡ, കുറുനരികളുടെ ഉപദ്രവം, മഹിഷങ്ങൾ ചവിട്ടിമെതിക്കൽ; ചെളിയിൽ കിടക്കൽ, ദുർഗന്ധം മുഴുവനായി നിറയൽ—ഇവയും പീഡകളാണ്.

Word by Word

• vyāghra-pīḍā: tiger-torment (torment by a tiger)
• vyāghra-pīḍā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyāghra (प्रातिपदिक) + pīḍā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (व्याघ्रेण/व्याघ्रस्य पीडा)

• śivā-pīḍā: jackal-torment
• śivā-pīḍā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śivā (प्रातिपदिक) + pīḍā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (शिवायाः/शिवया पीडा; here śivā = jackal)

• tathā: likewise
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: रीत्यर्थक-अव्यय (adverb)

• mahiṣa-mīḍanam: buffalo-trampling/torment
• mahiṣa-mīḍanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahiṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + mīḍana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (महिषस्य मीडनम् = मर्दन/पीडन)

• karddame: in mud
• karddame: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kardama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7), एकवचन; अधिकरण (locative)

• śayanam: lying down
• śayanam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śayana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक-अव्यय (particle)

• durgandha-paripūraṇam: filling with foul smell
• durgandha-paripūraṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: durgandha (प्रातिपदिक) + paripūraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (दुर्गन्धस्य परिपूरणम्)

Speaker

Narada (contextual attribution within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka (fear)

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa (disgust)

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It warns that adharma and pāpa lead to degrading, fear-filled states of suffering—symbolized by attacks, trampling, filth, and stench—urging the listener to choose Dharma and purification.

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

By contrasting the misery born of sinful conduct, it indirectly motivates taking refuge in sāttvika living, repentance, and sustained devotion that purifies karma and protects one from such outcomes.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is ethical discipline (yama-niyama–style restraint) to prevent karmic downfall described in the Purāṇic framework.