Shloka 25

The Account of Kāṣṭhīlā (Kāṣṭhīlā-ākhyāna) within the Mohinī Narrative

Devanagari script

दरुक्तानृतवाक्यं वा परदाराभिमर्शनम् । अपथ्यभक्षणं लोके तथाभक्ष्यस्य भक्षणम् ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

daruktānṛtavākyaṃ vā paradārābhimarśanam | apathyabhakṣaṇaṃ loke tathābhakṣyasya bhakṣaṇam || 25 ||

Translation

കഠിനവും അസത്യവുമായ വാക്കുകൾ പറയുക, പരസ്ത്രീയെ സമീപിക്കുക; ലോകത്തിൽ അപഥ്യം ഭക്ഷിക്കുക, അഭക്ഷ്യം ഭക്ഷിക്കുക—ഇവ പാപാചാരങ്ങളാണ്।

Word by Word

• दुरुक्त-अनृत-वाक्यम्: harsh and false speech
• दुरुक्त-अनृत-वाक्यम्: विषय (enumerated act)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुरुक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √वच्) + अनृत (प्रातिपदिक) + वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (दुरुक्तं च अनृतं च वाक्यम्)

• वा: or
• वा: अव्यय-सम्बन्ध
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक निपात

• पर-दार-अभिमर्शनम्: molesting another’s wife
• पर-दार-अभिमर्शनम्: विषय (enumerated act)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक) + दार (प्रातिपदिक) + अभिमर्शन (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √मृश्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (touching/approaching another’s wife)

• अपथ्य-भक्षणम्: eating unwholesome food
• अपथ्य-भक्षणम्: विषय (enumerated act)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपथ्य (प्रातिपदिक) + भक्षण (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √भक्ष्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषार्थ (eating what is unwholesome)

• लोके: in the world
• लोके: अधिकरण (Adhikarana/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन; अधिकरण (location/context)

• तथा: also
• तथा: अव्यय-सम्बन्ध
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), समुच्चयार्थ (also)

• अभक्ष्यस्य: of what should not be eaten
• अभक्ष्यस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभक्ष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• भक्षणम्: eating
• भक्षणम्: विषय (enumerated act)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भक्षण (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √भक्ष्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भाववाचक

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a dharma-instruction context)

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 defines key everyday sources of pāpa (demerit)—harmful speech, sexual misconduct, and impure or forbidden diet—showing that inner purity and self-restraint are foundational to dharma.

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

Bhakti is supported by śuddhi (purity) in word, deed, and food; avoiding false/harsh speech, adultery, and forbidden consumption protects the devotee’s mind from agitation, making remembrance of Vishnu steady.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It most closely reflects dharma-śāstric application of śuddhācāra and āhāra-niyama (rules of proper conduct and diet); while not a technical Vedanga lesson, it aligns with smārta norms derived from śāstra-based discipline.