Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

पतनं वा गिरेर्मूर्ध्रः क्रीडा वापि बिलेशयैः । व्याघ्रसिंहाभिगमनं समुद्रतरणं तथा ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

patanaṃ vā girermūrdhraḥ krīḍā vāpi bileśayaiḥ | vyāghrasiṃhābhigamanaṃ samudrataraṇaṃ tathā || 24 ||

Translation

पर्वतशिखरावरून पडणे असो, किंवा बिळात राहणाऱ्या प्राण्यांशी क्रीडा; वाघ-सिंहांजवळ जाणे असो, किंवा समुद्र पार करणे—(धर्म-पुण्यरक्षितासाठी) हे भयकारक नाही।

Word by Word

• पतनम्: falling
• पतनम्: कर्ता-प्रश्नार्थे विषय (enumerated act)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पतन (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √पत्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन; भाववाचक (action noun)

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

• गिरेः: of a mountain
• गिरेः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गिरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• मूर्ध्नः: from the head/top
• मूर्ध्नः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूर्धन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), एकवचन

• क्रीडा: play, sport
• क्रीडा: विषय (enumerated act)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रीडा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन

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

• अपि: also
• अपि: अव्यय-सम्बन्ध
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (also/even)

• बिलेशयैः: with den-dwellers (burrow-animals)
• बिलेशयैः: सह/करण (Instrument/association)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बिलेशय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन; बिले शयः इति (den-dweller)

• व्याघ्र-सिंह-अभिगमनम्: approaching tigers and lions
• व्याघ्र-सिंह-अभिगमनम्: विषय (enumerated act)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्याघ्र (प्रातिपदिक) + सिंह (प्रातिपदिक) + अभिगमन (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √गम्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (व्याघ्रसिंहयोः) द्वन्द्व + तत्पुरुष (अभिगमनम्)

• समुद्र-तरणम्: crossing the ocean
• समुद्र-तरणम्: विषय (enumerated act)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समुद्र (प्रातिपदिक) + तरण (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √तॄ)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (crossing of the ocean)

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

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Purana dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It lists extreme dangers to indicate that the power of dharma and sacred merit (especially gained through tirtha-sevana and vrata) removes fear and grants protection.

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

By implying reliance on divine protection: devotion expressed through pilgrimage, worship, and observance of sacred vows transforms anxiety into trust in the Lord’s safeguarding grace.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana or Jyotisha) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is ritual-dharma application—undertaking tirtha-related observances and disciplines for spiritual and worldly protection.