Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 10

Yamapatha (The Road of Yama), Dāna-Phala, and the Imperishable Fruition of Karma

Devanagari script

शैवालं च क्वचिन्मार्गे क्वचित्कीचकपंक्तयः । क्वचिव्द्याव्राश्च गर्जंते वर्धंते च क्वचिज्ज्वराः ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

śaivālaṃ ca kvacinmārge kvacitkīcakapaṃktayaḥ | kvacivdyāvrāśca garjaṃte vardhaṃte ca kvacijjvarāḥ || 10 ||

Translation

മാർഗത്തിൽ ചിലിടങ്ങളിൽ ശൈവലത്തിന്റെ വഴുക്കുന്ന ചെളി, ചിലിടങ്ങളിൽ കീചക (നാളിക) നിരകൾ. ചിലിടങ്ങളിൽ വന്യമൃഗങ്ങൾ ഗർജ്ജിക്കുന്നു; ചിലിടങ്ങളിൽ ജ്വരങ്ങൾ കത്തിപൊങ്ങി വർധിക്കുന്നു।

Word by Word

• शैवालम्: algae, moss
• शैवालम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शैवाल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd case), एकवचन; (neuter, nominative/accusative singular)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• क्वचित्: somewhere
• क्वचित्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्वचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb: 'somewhere/sometimes')

• मार्गे: on the path
• मार्गे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th case), एकवचन; (masculine, locative singular)

• क्वचित्: somewhere
• क्वचित्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्वचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb)

• कीचकपंक्तयः: rows of reeds
• कीचकपंक्तयः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कीचक (प्रातिपदिक) + पंक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (genitive determinative: 'rows of reeds'); (feminine, nominative plural)

• क्वचित्: somewhere
• क्वचित्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्वचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb)

• द्याव्राः: wild beasts (dyāvrāḥ)
• द्याव्राः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्याव्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन; (masculine, nominative plural)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• गर्जन्ते: roar
• गर्जन्ते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गर्ज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; (present indicative, 3rd person plural, middle)

• वर्धन्ते: increase, grow
• वर्धन्ते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वृध् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; (present indicative, 3rd person plural, middle)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• क्वचित्: somewhere
• क्वचित्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्वचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb)

• ज्वराः: fevers
• ज्वराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st case), बहुवचन; (masculine, nominative plural)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

FAQs

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

The verse portrays the journey through saṃsāra as a perilous path filled with obstacles, fears, and recurring afflictions—implying the need for steadiness, discernment, and a higher refuge to cross it.

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

By emphasizing how the worldly path is beset with dangers and suffering, it indirectly points to bhakti as a dependable refuge—turning the seeker away from unsafe terrain toward surrender and remembrance of the Lord.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; it functions as an adhyātmic caution, using vivid imagery to communicate practical vigilance and detachment.