Shloka 146

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

Devanagari script

विनापि दर्भतोयाग्नीन्न्यथोक्तविधिमतरा । ब्राह्मणस्यैव वाक्येन विवाहः सफलो भवेत् ॥ १४६ ॥

Transliteration

vināpi darbhatoyāgnīnnyathoktavidhimatarā | brāhmaṇasyaiva vākyena vivāhaḥ saphalo bhavet || 146 ||

Translation

แม้ปราศจากหญ้าคา น้ำ และไฟศักดิ์สิทธิ์ หรือแม้ว่าขั้นตอนที่กำหนดไว้จะไม่ครบถ้วน การแต่งงานก็ยังสัมฤทธิ์ผลได้ด้วยวาจาของพราหมณ์เท่านั้น

Word by Word

• विना: without
• विना: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विना (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (preposition-like indeclinable), वियोग/अभावार्थक; प्रायः तृतीया/द्वितीया-सह

• अपि: even/also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अप्यर्थ/समुच्चय

• दर्भ: darbha-grass
• दर्भ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दर्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (समाहार-द्वन्द्वे घटकः)

• तोय: water
• तोय: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (समाहार-द्वन्द्वे घटकः)

• अग्नीन्: fires
• अग्नीन्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन (समाहार-द्वन्द्वे घटकः)

• अन्यथा: otherwise
• अन्यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अन्यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), प्रकारवाचक

• उक्त: said/mentioned
• उक्त: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वच् (धातु) → उक्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्तः (PPP), नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुल्लिङ्ग; समासे पूर्वपदम्

• विधि: rule/rite
• विधि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, समासे मध्यपदम्

• मात्रा: merely by the (otherwise) stated rule/formality
• मात्रा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मात्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—तत्पुरुष (अन्यथा-उक्त-विधि-मात्रा = ‘only the rule as otherwise stated’/‘mere formality’), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन; साधनभावे

• ब्राह्मणस्य: of the brahmin
• ब्राह्मणस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive 6th), एकवचन

• एव: alone/indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle), अवधारण

• वाक्येन: by the word/utterance
• वाक्येन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• विवाहः: the marriage
• विवाहः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विवाह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सफलः: successful/fruitful
• सफलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सफल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘विवाहः’ इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• भवेत्: may become
• भवेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇa

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that dharmic acts are empowered by śabda (authoritative sacred speech) and proper sanction; the brāhmaṇa’s mantra-like declaration can uphold the rite’s efficacy even when external ritual items are missing.

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

By valuing sincere sanctified intention and sacred utterance over mere material completeness, it aligns with bhakti’s principle that inner consecration and faith (śraddhā) are central, while external supports are secondary.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights the primacy of mantra/śabda and correct ritual authorization—linked to Śikṣā (proper recitation) and Vyākaraṇa (correct wording)—showing how speech acts function as a decisive component in Vedic-style rites.