Shloka 46

Mohinī-prashna

The Question about Mohinī

Devanagari script

स्वेच्छाचारा तु या नारी योऽविनीतः सुतो द्विजाः । एकांतशीलो नृपतिर्भृत्यः कर्मविवर्जितः ॥ ४६ ॥

Transliteration

svecchācārā tu yā nārī yo'vinītaḥ suto dvijāḥ | ekāṃtaśīlo nṛpatirbhṛtyaḥ karmavivarjitaḥ || 46 ||

Translation

ഹേ ദ്വിജന്മാരേ! സ്വേച്ഛാചാരിണിയായ സ്ത്രീ, അവിനീതനായ പുത്രൻ, ഏകാന്തത്തിൽ മാത്രം കഴിയുന്ന രാജാവ്, കർത്തവ്യം ഒഴിവാക്കുന്ന ഭൃത്യൻ—ഇവയെല്ലാം അക്രമത്തിനും അധഃപതനത്തിനും കാരണങ്ങൾ.

Word by Word

स्व-इच्छा-आचाराःa woman of self-willed conduct

तुbut/indeed

याwho (female)

नारीwoman

यःwho (male)

अविनीतःundisciplined

सुतःson

द्विजाःO twice-born

एकान्त-शीलःsolitary in disposition

नृपतिःking

भृत्यःservant

कर्म-विवर्जितःdevoid of duty/work

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada; addressing the dvijas/listeners)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

The verse frames dharma as disciplined role-based conduct: when key pillars of society (family, governance, service) abandon self-restraint and duty, adharma spreads and collective well-being declines.

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

While not naming bhakti directly, it supports bhakti through niyama (discipline): steadiness in duty, humility, and self-control are presented as the ethical ground on which Vishnu-bhakti and puranic practices remain stable and fruitful.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana or Jyotisha) is taught here; the practical takeaway is sadācāra and rāja-nīti—applied dharma principles that guide household discipline, governance responsibility, and faithful service.