Shloka 11

Brahmā’s Discourse to Mohinī

Harivāsara, Desire, and the Satya-Test of Rukmāṅgada

Devanagari script

प्राहेमान् पश्यतो ह्येतां स्वकान्वै काममोहितान् । प्रत्यवायभयाद्ब्रह्या चक्षुषी संन्यमीलयत् ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

prāhemān paśyato hyetāṃ svakānvai kāmamohitān | pratyavāyabhayādbrahyā cakṣuṣī saṃnyamīlayat || 11 ||

Translation

आपलेच लोक काममोहाने भ्रमित झालेले पाहून ती बोलली; आणि प्रत्यवायाच्या भयाने त्या पूज्य साध्वीने डोळे मिटले।

Word by Word

• प्राह: said/spoke
• प्राह: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + अह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular); परस्मैपद

• इमान्: these
• इमान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• पश्यतः: of (her) who was seeing
• पश्यतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पश्यत् (कृदन्त, √दृश् धातु)
• Form: षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular); वर्तमानकृदन्त (Present active participle) used substantively: 'of (one) seeing'

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle/emphasis)

• एताम्: this (woman/one)
• एताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• स्वकान्: her own (people/kinsmen)
• स्वकान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• वै: indeed/for sure
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle/emphasis)

• काममोहितान्: deluded by desire
• काममोहितान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काम + मोहित (कृदन्त; √मुह् धातु)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (determinative): 'कामेन मोहित' ; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; भूतकृदन्त (past passive participle) used adjectivally

• प्रत्यवायभयात्: from fear of transgression
• प्रत्यवायभयात्: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रत्यवाय + भय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास: 'प्रत्यवायस्य भयम्' ; नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), पञ्चमी (Ablative/5th), एकवचन (Singular)

• ब्रह्या: Brahmā’s consort / a Brahmī (lady)
• ब्रह्या: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन

• चक्षुषी: (her) two eyes
• चक्षुषी: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्षुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative/2nd), द्विवचन (Dual)

• संन्यमीलयत्: closed (completely)
• संन्यमीलयत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + नि + √मील् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Speaker

Narrator (Purana narrative voice; traditionally Suta in Purana discourse)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"karuna","secondary_rasa":"bhayanaka","emotional_journey":"Compassionate witnessing of loved ones overcome by kāma shifts into fear of pratyavāya (sinful consequence), culminating in the protective gesture of closing the eyes."}

FAQs

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

It highlights dharmic restraint: when desire (kāma) clouds judgment, a wise person withdraws from participation and guards the senses, fearing pratyavāya—harmful karmic consequence from adharma.

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

By implying sense-withdrawal and avoidance of kāma-moha, it supports bhakti indirectly: a mind not dragged by desire becomes fit for steady remembrance and worship, which are central to Purāṇic devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse is primarily dharma-ethical rather than technical Vedāṅga instruction; practically, it reinforces the Vedic principle of niyama (self-regulation) and guarding the senses to avoid pratyavāya in ritual and conduct.