Shloka 17

The Discourse of Rukmāṅgada

Prabodhinī Ekādaśī, Kārtika-vrata, and Satya-dharma

Devanagari script

अस्या न विप्रियं कार्यं सर्वथा वरवर्णिनि । मामकं व्रतमाधत्स्व कृच्छ्राख्यं कायशोषकम् ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

asyā na vipriyaṃ kāryaṃ sarvathā varavarṇini | māmakaṃ vratamādhatsva kṛcchrākhyaṃ kāyaśoṣakam || 17 ||

Translation

ஓ அழகிய நிறமுடையவளே, எந்த விதத்திலும் அவளுக்கு விரோதமானதைச் செய்யாதே. அதற்கு பதிலாக என் ‘க்ருச்ச்ர’ எனப்படும் விரதத்தை ஏற்று—அது உடலை மெலிவிக்கும் தவம்॥१७॥

Word by Word

• अस्याः: of her
• अस्याः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन

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

• विप्रियम्: anything displeasing
• विप्रियम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; ‘unpleasant thing’

• कार्यम्: should be done
• कार्यम्: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicative obligation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) → कार्य (प्रातिपदिक; कृत्य/gerundive sense)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive/obligation adjective), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विधेय (to be done)

• सर्वथा: in every way, at all
• सर्वथा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Modal adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• वरवर्णिनि: O fair-complexioned one
• वरवर्णिनि: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरवर्णिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘वरा वर्णिनी’ = of excellent complexion

• मामकम्: my
• मामकम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मामक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying vrataṃ)

• व्रतम्: vow, observance
• व्रतम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• आधत्स्व: undertake, adopt
• आधत्स्व: Kriya (क्रिया/Imperative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धा (धातु) [आ + धा]
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), मध्यम-पुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन, आत्मनेपद; ‘undertake/assume!’

• कृच्छ्राख्यम्: called ‘Kṛcchra’
• कृच्छ्राख्यम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृच्छ्र + आख्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘कृच्छ्र-आख्य’ = named ‘Kṛcchra’ (qualifying vrataṃ)

• कायशोषकम्: body-emaciating
• कायशोषकम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काय + शोषक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘कायस्य शोषकः’ = causing bodily emaciation

Speaker

A male teacher/authority figure instructing a woman (contextual speaker not explicitly identifiable from this single verse)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Kṛcchra (austerity/penance-vrata)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It links ethical restraint (not causing displeasure or harm) with expiatory discipline, prescribing the Kṛcchra vow as a purifying austerity when correction and restraint are required.

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

While not directly naming a deity, it supports bhakti-oriented purity by emphasizing self-control and disciplined observance (vrata), which traditionally prepare the mind for steady devotion and worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa/Smārta ritual knowledge: the use of regulated vows (vratas) like Kṛcchra as structured prāyaścitta (expiation) within dharma practice.