Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 35

Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy

Devanagari script

हेमस्तेयसमं पापं प्रवक्ष्यामि निशामय । कन्दमूलफलानां च कस्तूरी पटवाससाम् ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

hemasteyasamaṃ pāpaṃ pravakṣyāmi niśāmaya | kandamūlaphalānāṃ ca kastūrī paṭavāsasām || 35 ||

Translation

Ouve: descreverei o pecado igual ao de furtar ouro—o furto de raízes, tubérculos e frutos, bem como de kastūrī (almíscar), folhas de betel e vestes.

Word by Word

• हेमस्तेयसमम्: equal to gold-theft
• हेमस्तेयसमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier of पापम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हेम-स्तेय-सम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: हेमस्तेयेण समम् (equal to gold-theft)

• पापम्: sin
• पापम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• प्रवक्ष्यामि: I will declare
• प्रवक्ष्यामि: Kriya (क्रिया/Finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र+√वच् (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (Simple future), परस्मैपद, उत्तमपुरुष (1st person), एकवचन

• निशामय: listen/attend
• निशामय: Sambodhana-prayojaka (सम्बोधन/Directive to listener)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि+√शम् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन

• कन्दमूलफलानाम्: of tubers, roots, and fruits
• कन्दमूलफलानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्द-मूल-फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th case), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व: कन्दानि च मूलानि च फलानि च (of tubers, roots, and fruits)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक निपात (conjunction)

• कस्तूरी: of musk
• कस्तूरी: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कस्तूरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन (contextual genitive in list)

• पटवाससाम्: of garments/cloths
• पटवाससाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पट-वासस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष: पटस्य वासांसि (cloth/garments)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It establishes a dharma principle of proportional gravity: taking even seemingly “small” goods (forest produce, luxury substances, clothing) can incur sin comparable to gold-theft, emphasizing inner integrity and respect for others’ livelihood.

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

Bhakti is supported by śuddha-ācāra (pure conduct). The verse implies that devotion to the Divine is undermined by theft; ethical restraint is a necessary foundation for sincere worship and mantra-japa.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Dharmic application rather than a specific Vedāṅga technique: a practical rule of ācāra (conduct) used in Dharmaśāstra-style adjudication of offenses and their moral weight.