Shloka 51

Pātivratya-kathana

The Narrative of the Pativrata

Devanagari script

पुरस्तादेव जननीं वाक्यैः संबोध्य भूरिशः । मया त्वया च कर्तव्यं राज्ञो वाक्यं न संशयः ॥ ५१ ॥

Transliteration

purastādeva jananīṃ vākyaiḥ saṃbodhya bhūriśaḥ | mayā tvayā ca kartavyaṃ rājño vākyaṃ na saṃśayaḥ || 51 ||

Translation

ആദ്യം ജനനിയെ പല വാക്കുകളാൽ ആദരപൂർവ്വം അഭിസംബോധന ചെയ്യണം; പിന്നെ നീയും ഞാനും രാജാവിന്റെ കല്പന നിർഭയമായി നിർവഹിക്കണം—സംശയമില്ല।

Word by Word

• पुरस्तात्: first/in front
• पुरस्तात्: देश/कालाधिकरण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरस्तात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देश/कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण—‘in front/at first’

• एव: indeed
• एव: अवधारण (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चय/अवधारण (emphasis)

• जननीम्: mother
• जननीम्: कर्म (Direct object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जननी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• वाक्यैः: with words
• वाक्यैः: करण (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन

• सम्बोध्य: having addressed
• सम्बोध्य: पूर्वकालक्रिया (Absolutive; prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-बुध् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्यय (Absolutive/ल्यप्), अव्ययभाव; ‘सम्बोधनं कृत्वा’

• भूरिशः: repeatedly
• भूरिशः: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भूरिशस् (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; परिमाणवाचक क्रियाविशेषण—‘बहुशः/again and again’

• मया: by me
• मया: कर्ता (Agent/Doer)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• त्वया: by you
• त्वया: कर्ता (Agent/Doer)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• कर्तव्यम्: must be done
• कर्तव्यम्: विधेय (Predicative necessity)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: तव्यत्-प्रत्यय (Gerundive/कर्तव्य), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विधेय—‘करणीयम्/ought to be done’

• राज्ञः: of the king
• राज्ञः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• वाक्यम्: command/word
• वाक्यम्: कर्म (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• न: not/no
• न: निषेध (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध (negation particle)

• संशयः: doubt
• संशयः: कर्ता/विधेय (Subject complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संशय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

Speaker

Narrative speaker (contextual dialogue within Uttara-Bhaga; specific named speaker not stated in the given shloka)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It emphasizes dharmic prioritization: speak respectfully to one’s mother first, then fulfill one’s rightful duty—here framed as obedience to legitimate royal instruction.

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

Indirectly, it supports bhakti by teaching disciplined conduct—humility in speech and faithful execution of duty—qualities that stabilize the mind for devotion to Vishnu.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vyakarana- and Shiksha-aligned discipline is implied: careful, respectful speech (vākyaiḥ saṃbodhya) and proper conduct (kartavya) as applied ethics rather than a technical ritual rule.