Shloka 18

Yama’s Journey to Brahmaloka

Ekadashi–Dvadashi Mahatmya in the Rukmangada Cycle

Devanagari script

वैलक्ष्यमगमद्राजा रविसूनुर्द्विजोत्तमाः । लेख्यकर्मणि विश्रांतश्चित्रगुप्तोऽभवत्तदा ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

vailakṣyamagamadrājā ravisūnurdvijottamāḥ | lekhyakarmaṇi viśrāṃtaścitragupto'bhavattadā || 18 ||

Translation

ହେ ଦ୍ୱିଜୋତ୍ତମ! ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟପୁତ୍ର ରାଜା ଲଜ୍ଜାରେ ବିହ୍ୱଳ ହେଲେ; ଏବଂ ସେତେବେଳେ ଚିତ୍ରଗୁପ୍ତ ଲେଖ୍ୟ-ଲେଖନ କର୍ମରେ ଏକାଗ୍ର ହୋଇ ଲୀନ ରହିଲେ।

Word by Word

• वैलक्ष्यम्: bewilderment, embarrassment
• वैलक्ष्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैलक्ष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; abstract noun

• अगमत्: went/attained
• अगमत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: गम् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• राजा: the king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• रविसूनुः: son of the Sun (Yama)
• रविसूनुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रवि + सूनु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (raveḥ sūnuḥ)

• द्विजोत्तमाः: the best of the twice-born (brahmins)
• द्विजोत्तमाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज + उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष sense: ‘श्रेष्ठा द्विजाः’

• लेख्यकर्मणि: in the work of writing/recording
• लेख्यकर्मणि: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लेख्य + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘लेख्यं कर्म’ (writing/recording work)

• विश्रान्तः: rested, paused
• विश्रान्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वि-श्रान्त (कृदन्त; √श्रम्)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; predicate adjective

• चित्रगुप्तः: Chitragupta
• चित्रगुप्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चित्रगुप्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; proper noun

• अभवत्: became/was
• अभवत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (temporal adverb)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: hasya

Characters & Entities

• Chitragupta
• Ravi (Surya)
• Raja (the king)

FAQs

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

It highlights karmic accountability: the king’s embarrassment contrasts with Chitragupta’s steady record-keeping, implying that actions are witnessed and duly noted within the moral order (dharma).

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

Though not explicitly devotional, the verse supports bhakti indirectly by reminding that sincere dharmic living and inner honesty are essential supports for devotion, since deeds are not hidden from the cosmic order.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse most closely echoes the spirit of Vyākaraṇa/lekhyavidyā (disciplined textual work) in its emphasis on precise “lekhya-karma” (documentation), symbolizing ordered recording akin to careful scriptural and administrative practice.