Shloka 52

Kāṣṭhīla-Upākhyāna: Rākṣasī, Spear-Śakti, and Kāśī as Śakti-kṣetra

Devanagari script

तदा तेन मृषा वाक्यमुक्तं मद्भक्षणार्थकम् । तन्निशम्याह मां बद्धा स्वयं चास्थानि दर्शनात् ॥ ५२ ॥

Transliteration

tadā tena mṛṣā vākyamuktaṃ madbhakṣaṇārthakam | tanniśamyāha māṃ baddhā svayaṃ cāsthāni darśanāt || 52 ||

Translation

Então ele proferiu uma falsidade, com a intenção de me devorar. Ao ouvir isso, ela mesma me amarrou; e, ao ver os ossos, (convenceu-se e agiu de acordo).

Word by Word

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Temporal adverb (कालवाचक-अव्यय)

• tena: by him
• tena: Kartr̥-karaṇa (कर्तृ-करण/Agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• mṛṣā: falsely
• mṛṣā: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: mṛṣā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (रीतिवाचक-अव्यय)

• vākyam: statement/words
• vākyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vākya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा) / Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; here object with uktaṃ (said)

• uktam: was spoken
• uktam: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √vac (वच् धातु) → ukta (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त); Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; agrees with vākyam

• mat-bhakṣaṇa-arthakam: intended for devouring me
• mat-bhakṣaṇa-arthakam: Karma-anvaya (कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mad (अस्मद्-प्रातिपदिक, ‘me’) + bhakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + arthaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa; Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; qualifies vākyam; ‘for the purpose of eating me’

• tat: that
• tat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; object of niśamya

• niśamya: having heard
• niśamya: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-√śam (शम् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय; ल्यप्)

• āha: said
• āha: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ah (अह् धातु/ब्रू sense)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular

• mām: me
• mām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• baddhā: bound/tied
• baddhā: Karta-anvaya (कर्तृ-विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √bandh (बन्ध् धातु) → baddha (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त); Feminine, Nominative, Singular; predicate/qualifier of implied subject (she)

• svayam: herself
• svayam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: svayam (अव्यय)
• Form: Reflexive adverb (स्वार्थक-अव्यय)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चय-निपात)

• asthāni: bones
• asthāni: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asthi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा) / Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन); here object with (understood) action from context

• darśanāt: from/because of seeing
• darśanāt: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: darśana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; expresses cause

Speaker

Suta (narrating a tirtha-mahatmya episode within Uttara-Bhaga)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

FAQs

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

It highlights how deceit (mṛṣā-vākya) driven by harmful intent leads to immediate adverse outcomes, reinforcing the Purāṇic ethic of satya (truthfulness) and ahiṃsā (non-harm).

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

Indirectly, it supports bhakti by contrasting it with predatory intention and falsehood—devotion to Viṣṇu is grounded in truth, compassion, and restraint, not manipulation or violence.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse mainly teaches dharmic conduct rather than a Vedāṅga technique; the key takeaway is disciplined speech (satya-vāk), a foundational virtue supporting all śāstric practice and ritual integrity.