Shloka 14

Rukmāṅgada–Vāmadeva Saṃvāda: Ahimsa, Hunting, and the Fruit of Dvādaśī-Bhakti

Devanagari script

नहिहिंसे मृगान्देवि मृगव्याजेन कानने । पर्य्यटिष्ये धनुष्पाणिः कुर्वन्कंटकशोधनम् ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

nahihiṃse mṛgāndevi mṛgavyājena kānane | paryyaṭiṣye dhanuṣpāṇiḥ kurvankaṃṭakaśodhanam || 14 ||

Translation

โอ้เทวี ข้าพเจ้าไม่ฆ่าสัตว์ในป่าด้วยข้ออ้างว่าออกล่า ข้าพเจ้าจะถือคันธนูเที่ยวไปเพียงเพื่อกำจัดหนามและอุปสรรคอันเป็นภัย

Word by Word

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

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), emphasis

• हिंसे: I harm/kill
• हिंसे: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √हिंस् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), उत्तमपुरुष (1st), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• मृगान्: deer
• मृगान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), बहुवचन

• देवि: O lady (queen)
• देवि: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (Vocative/सम्बोधन), एकवचन

• मृगव्याजेन: under the pretext of hunting
• मृगव्याजेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मृग (प्रातिपदिक) + व्याज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मृगस्य व्याजः) ‘pretext of deer/hunting’

• कानने: in the forest
• कानने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कानन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/अधिकरण), एकवचन

• पर्यटिष्ये: I will roam about
• पर्यटिष्ये: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि-√अट् (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple Future), उत्तमपुरुष (1st), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• धनुष्पाणिः: one who has a bow in hand
• धनुष्पाणिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धनुस् (प्रातिपदिक) + पाणि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः ‘धनुः पाणौ यस्य सः’

• कुर्वन्: doing
• कुर्वन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √कृ (धातु) → कुर्वत् (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; agrees with (अहम् implied)

• कण्टकशोधनम्: removal of thorns (clearing obstacles)
• कण्टकशोधनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कण्टक (प्रातिपदिक) + शोधन (प्रातिपदिक; from √शुध्/√शोध्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (कण्टकानां शोधनम्)

Speaker

A male speaker addressing a goddess (Devi) within the Adhyaya’s narrative

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Devi

FAQs

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

It affirms ahiṃsā (non-violence) as a core dharmic discipline: even when carrying weapons, one should not justify harm through convenient pretexts, and should instead remove obstacles that cause suffering.

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

Bhakti is supported by ethical purity: restraint from cruelty and a protective attitude toward living beings cultivates sattva and aligns conduct with devotion-centered dharma.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse is primarily dharma-ācāra (right conduct) rather than a technical Vedāṅga; its practical takeaway is disciplined intent (saṅkalpa-śuddhi)—actions must match righteous purpose, not harmful disguise.