Shloka 39

Dharmāṅgada’s Discourse (Dharmāṅgadopadeśa) in the Mohinī Episode

Devanagari script

दुर्लभः जाह्नवीतोयं दुर्लभा जननी क्षितौ । दुर्लभं हि कुले जन्म दुर्लभा वंशजा प्रिया ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

durlabhaḥ jāhnavītoyaṃ durlabhā jananī kṣitau | durlabhaṃ hi kule janma durlabhā vaṃśajā priyā || 39 ||

Translation

ജാഹ്നവീ (ഗംഗ)യുടെ ജലം ദുർലഭം; ഭൂമിയിൽ ജനനിയും ദുർലഭം. കുലത്തിൽ ജന്മം ദുർലഭം; സദ്വംശജനിയായ പ്രിയ ഭാര്യയും ദുർലഭം.

Word by Word

• durlabhaḥ: rare
• durlabhaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• jāhnavī-toyam: water of the Ganga
• jāhnavī-toyam: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jāhnavī (प्रातिपदिक) + toya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter/नपुंसक), Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative/प्रथमा), Ekavacana; Tatpuruṣa ‘jāhnavyāḥ toyam’ (water of the Jāhnavī/Gaṅgā)

• durlabhā: rare
• durlabhā: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• jananī: mother
• jananī: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jananī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• kṣitau: on earth
• kṣitau: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣiti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Saptamī vibhakti (Locative/सप्तमी), Ekavacana

• durlabham: rare
• durlabham: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Prathamā/Dvitīyā vibhakti (Nom/Acc), Ekavacana; here predicative with ‘janma’

• hi: indeed
• hi: Sambandha (Discourse particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Nipāta/particle (निपात), emphasis/indeed

• kule: in a family/lineage
• kule: Adhikaraṇa (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kula (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Saptamī vibhakti (Locative/सप्तमी), Ekavacana

• janma: birth
• janma: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसकलिङ्ग, Prathamā vibhakti (Nominative/प्रथमा), Ekavacana

• durlabhā: rare
• durlabhā: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: durlabha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• vaṃśa-jā: born in a good lineage
• vaṃśa-jā: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vaṃśa (प्रातिपदिक) + jā (प्रातिपदिक; from √jan)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; Tatpuruṣa ‘vaṃśāt jātā’ (born in a lineage)

• priyā: beloved (wife/dear one)
• priyā: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: priyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

Speaker

Narada (teaching within Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahatmya narration; traditional dialogue frame with sages)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"bhakti","emotional_journey":"A calm, enumerative contemplation of what is ‘rare’ moves from sacred substance (Gaṅgā) to human relationships and social dharma, ending in appreciation of auspicious domestic fortune."}

Characters & Entities

• Ganga
• Jahnavi

FAQs

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

It emphasizes four rare blessings—Gaṅgā’s sacred water, a mother, noble birth, and a virtuous spouse—highlighting gratitude, dharma, and the exceptional merit (puṇya) associated with tirthas like the Jāhnavī.

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

By calling Gaṅgā-water “rare,” the verse points to sacred contact that supports purification and steady devotional practice—tirtha-sevā, snāna, and remembrance—helping a devotee orient life’s rare gifts toward Viṣṇu-bhakti and dharmic living.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It most directly reflects Dharmaśāstra-oriented practical wisdom: valuing auspicious life-conditions for sādhana (good birth and household supports). No specific technical Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse, though it aligns with ritual culture around tirtha-snānā and purity.