Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 81

Prāyaścitta for Mahāpātakas and the Sin-destroying Power of Viṣṇu-smaraṇa

Devanagari script

उलूकं सारसं चैव पकोतं जलपादकम् । शुकं चाषं बलाकं च शिशुमारं च कच्छपम् ॥ ८१ ॥

Transliteration

ulūkaṃ sārasaṃ caiva pakotaṃ jalapādakam | śukaṃ cāṣaṃ balākaṃ ca śiśumāraṃ ca kacchapam || 81 ||

Translation

ਇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਲੂਕ (ਉੱਲੂ), ਸਾਰਸ, ਪਕੋਤ (ਕਬੂਤਰ), ਜਲਪਾਦਕ (ਜਲ-ਪੰਛੀ), ਸ਼ੁਕ (ਤੋਤਾ), ਚਾਸ਼ ਪੰਛੀ, ਬਲਾਕਾ (ਬਗਲਾ), ਸ਼ਿਸ਼ੁਮਾਰ ਅਤੇ ਕੱਛਪ (ਕਛੂਆ) ਦਾ ਵੀ ਉਲੇਖ ਹੈ।

Word by Word

• उलूकम्: an owl
• उलूकम्: कर्म (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उलूक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• सारसम्: a crane (sārasa)
• सारसम्: कर्म (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सारस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (समुच्चयः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• एव: indeed; just
• एव: निपात (निपातः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle of emphasis)

• पकोतम्: a pakota (bird)
• पकोतम्: कर्म (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पकोत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• जल-पादकम्: a water-going bird/creature
• जल-पादकम्: कर्म (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल (प्रातिपदिक) + पादक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; जले पादकः/चरः इति (सप्तमी-तत्पुरुषः)

• शुकम्: a parrot
• शुकम्: कर्म (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (समुच्चयः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• आषम्: a kind of bird (āṣa)
• आषम्: कर्म (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• बलाकम्: a heron/crane (balāka)
• बलाकम्: कर्म (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बलाक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (समुच्चयः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अvyaya (conjunction)

• शिशुमारम्: a dolphin/porpoise
• शिशुमारम्: कर्म (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिशुमार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (समुच्चयः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• कच्छपम्: a tortoise
• कच्छपम्: कर्म (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कच्छप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It functions as a catalog of living beings within the creation narrative, emphasizing the ordered diversity of life (prāṇi-bheda) as part of cosmic dharma and the Purāṇic vision of the world.

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

Indirectly: by presenting all creatures as included within creation, it supports the bhakti outlook that the Lord pervades and sustains all beings, encouraging reverence and non-cruelty as devotional conduct.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Primarily nirukta-style vocabulary and traditional zoological nomenclature used in śāstric lists; it aids correct identification and usage of terms in recitation, commentary, and dharma discussions.