Shloka 78

The Account of Kāṣṭhīlā (Kāṣṭhīlā-ākhyāna) within the Mohinī Narrative

Devanagari script

अधौतपादां सुश्रोणीं सौम्यदिक्छीर्षशायिनीम् । पतिकामा कुमारी सा नाविंदत्सदृशं पतिम् ॥ ७८ ॥

Transliteration

adhautapādāṃ suśroṇīṃ saumyadikchīrṣaśāyinīm | patikāmā kumārī sā nāviṃdatsadṛśaṃ patim || 78 ||

Translation

अधौतपादा सुश्रोणी सा सौम्येऽपि दिग्भागे न शयीत; अशुभदिक्शीर्षशायिनी पतिकामा सतीऽपि सदृशं पतिं न अविन्दत्॥

Word by Word

• अधौत-पादाम्: (her) with unwashed feet
• अधौत-पादाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधौत (कृदन्त, धातु √धाव्) + पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः—‘अधौताः पादाः यस्याः सा’ (unwashed-footed)

• सु-श्रोणीम्: beautiful-hipped
• सु-श्रोणीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + श्रोणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः—सुश्रोणी (having beautiful hips)

• सौम्य-दिक्-शीर्ष-शायिनीम्: lying with her head toward the auspicious direction
• सौम्य-दिक्-शीर्ष-शायिनीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सौम्य (प्रातिपदिक) + दिक् (प्रातिपदिक) + शीर्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + शायिनी (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक, धातु √शी)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समासः (बहुपद) — ‘सौम्यायां दिशि शीर्षं यस्याः सा’ (lying with head toward the auspicious/northern direction)

• पति-कामा: desiring a husband
• पति-कामा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक) + काम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘पतेः कामः यस्याः सा’ (desiring a husband)

• कुमारी: the maiden
• कुमारी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुमारी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सा: she
• सा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेध-अव्यय (negation particle)

• अविन्दत्: found
• अविन्दत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √विद् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/past), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• सदृशम्: suitable, matching
• सदृशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सदृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying पतिम्)

• पतिम्: husband
• पतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Purana discourse)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"karuna","secondary_rasa":"shanta","emotional_journey":"Begins with a description of the maiden’s physical attractiveness, then turns to a moral-causal note (improper conduct/inauspicious orientation), ending in frustration and lack of desired marital fulfillment."}

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that desired life-results (like a worthy marriage) are supported by dharmic discipline—basic purity (śauca) and proper observances (niyama) rather than mere longing.

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

Indirectly, it teaches that devotion is strengthened by orderly conduct: cleanliness, mindfulness, and respect for auspicious practice create steadiness (śuddhi) that supports prayer and vows.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied ritual discipline—śauca (purificatory cleanliness) and directional/auspicious considerations used in traditional observance (a practical, dharmic application akin to jyotiṣa-based auspiciousness and gṛhya-ācāra).