Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31

Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa

Devanagari script

माधुक शैलमारिष्टं मैरेयं नालिकेरजम् । गौडी माध्वी सुरा मद्यमेवमेकादश स्मृताः ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

mādhuka śailamāriṣṭaṃ maireyaṃ nālikerajam | gauḍī mādhvī surā madyamevamekādaśa smṛtāḥ || 31 ||

Translation

മാധുകം, ശൈലം, ആരിഷ്ടം, മൈരേയം, നാളികേരജം (തേങ്ങയിൽ നിന്നുള്ളത്); കൂടാതെ ഗൗഡീ, മാധ്വീ, സുരാ, മദ്യ—ഇങ്ങനെ ഇവയെ പതിനൊന്ന് മദ്യപാനീയങ്ങളായി സ്മരിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• माधुकम्: mādhuka liquor (from madhūka)
• माधुकम्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject—items enumerated)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माधुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; सूचीकरणे (as item in list)

• शैलम्: śaila liquor (rock-sugar/related)
• शैलम्: कर्ता (Karta)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शैल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• आरिष्टम्: āriṣṭa (fermented decoction)
• आरिष्टम्: कर्ता (Karta)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आरिष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मैरेयम्: maireya liquor
• मैरेयम्: कर्ता (Karta)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मैरेय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• नालिकेरजम्: made from coconut
• नालिकेरजम्: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नालिकेर (प्रातिपदिक) + ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—'नालिकेरात् जम्' (born from coconut)

• गौडी: gauḍī liquor (molasses-based)
• गौडी: कर्ता (Karta)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गौडी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• माध्वी: mādhvī (honey-based liquor)
• माध्वी: कर्ता (Karta)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माध्वी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सुरा: liquor
• सुरा: कर्ता (Karta)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुरा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• मद्यम्: intoxicant; alcoholic drink
• मद्यम्: कर्ता (Karta)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (thus/in this manner)

• एकादश: eleven
• एकादश: विशेषण (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एकादश (संख्याप्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्या-विशेषण, प्रथमा, बहुवचनार्थे (agreeing with smṛtāḥ); द्विगु-समासः (eka+daśa)

• स्मृताः: are remembered/are stated
• स्मृताः: क्रिया/विधेय (Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √स्मृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विधेय-रूपेण (predicative)

Speaker

Sūta (narrating the Purāṇic teaching; verse lists categories rather than dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

FAQs

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

It functions as a dharma-style enumeration: by naming recognized categories of intoxicants, the text supports disciplines of purity (śauca) and self-restraint (dama) that protect sādhana and ritual fitness.

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

Indirectly: bhakti is strengthened by sattvic conduct. By identifying intoxicants, the verse underlines avoiding habits that cloud remembrance of the Lord and weaken vows, japa, and temple/ritual observances.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

This is closer to dharma-nīti and ritual eligibility than a specific Vedāṅga; practically, it reflects applied discipline used in karmakāṇḍa contexts—knowing which substances are classed as surā/madya for rules of purity and prohibition.