Shloka 19

Mohinī-Saṃmohana

The Enchantment of Mohinī

Devanagari script

पितृस्थानाश्रयरता नारी तमसि मज्जति । सर्वधर्मविहीनापि नारी भवति सूकरी ॥ १९ ॥

Transliteration

pitṛsthānāśrayaratā nārī tamasi majjati | sarvadharmavihīnāpi nārī bhavati sūkarī || 19 ||

Translation

पितृस्थानाश्रयरता नारी तमसि मज्जति। सर्वधर्मविहीनापि नारी भवति सूकरी॥

Word by Word

पितृस्थानाश्रयरताdevoted to the refuge of the father’s home

नारीa woman

तमसिin darkness

मज्जतिsinks/immerses

सर्वधर्मविहीनाdevoid of all righteousness

अपिeven

नारीa woman

भवतिbecomes

सूकरीa sow (female pig)

Speaker

Narada (instructional narration within Uttara-Bhaga)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

Pitrs

FAQs

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

It warns that clinging to a tamasic orientation—here framed as taking refuge in a lower ancestral-bound state instead of higher dharma—leads to spiritual decline and unfavorable rebirth, emphasizing dharma as the safeguard.

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

By contrast, it implies that one should not settle for lower, tamasic refuges but seek higher refuge through dharmic living and devotion to the Supreme (commonly taught in the Purana as Vishnu-bhakti), which uplifts consciousness rather than sinking into tamas.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse is primarily ethical (dharma/karma) rather than technical Vedanga; practically, it supports correct application of dharma in rites connected with Pitrs (śrāddha/ancestral observances) without falling into tamasic conduct.