Shloka 31

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

Devanagari script

जाता जलजजातेन स्त्रीरूपा वरवर्णिनी । दुष्टभावा तथा जाता कर्त्री दुष्टं नृपस्य तु ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

jātā jalajajātena strīrūpā varavarṇinī | duṣṭabhāvā tathā jātā kartrī duṣṭaṃ nṛpasya tu || 31 ||

Translation

นางเกิดจากผู้บังเกิดจากดอกบัว จึงมีรูปเป็นสตรีผิวพรรณงดงาม; ทว่าเกิดมาพร้อมจิตชั่ว กลายเป็นผู้ก่อและยุยงความชั่วในพระราชา।

Word by Word

• जाता: born
• जाता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √जन् (धातु) → जात (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle)

• जलज-जातेन: from the lotus-born (source)
• जलज-जातेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जलज (प्रातिपदिक) + जात (कृदन्त from √जन्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/करण), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष ‘जलजेन जातः’ (born from lotus/water-born)

• स्त्री-रूपा: in female form
• स्त्री-रूपा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्त्री (प्रातिपदिक) + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष ‘स्त्रियाः रूपम्’ → ‘having a woman’s form’

• वर-वर्णिनी: of excellent complexion
• वर-वर्णिनी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्णिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय ‘वरः वर्णः यस्याः’

• दुष्ट-भावा: having a wicked nature
• दुष्ट-भावा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुष्ट (प्रातिपदिक) + भाव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्मधारय ‘दुष्टः भावः’

• तथा: thus/so
• तथा: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• जाता: born
• जाता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √जन् (धातु) → जात (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• कर्त्री: doer/agent
• कर्त्री: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक; agent noun from √कृ)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• दुष्टम्: evil (act)
• दुष्टम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/कर्म), एकवचन

• नृपस्य: of the king
• नृपस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नृप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (contrastive particle)

Speaker

Narada (narrating a puranic account within the Uttara-Bhaga context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• King (Nṛpa)

FAQs

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

It warns that outward beauty or auspicious origin does not guarantee virtue; adharma can arise through inner disposition, and a ruler must remain vigilant against influences that lead to wrongdoing.

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

By implication, it highlights the need for inner purification and steadiness of mind—qualities strengthened through Vishnu-bhakti—so that one is not driven into sinful acts by deceptive or corrupting forces.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse is primarily ethical (nīti/dharma) rather than technical; its practical takeaway aligns with dharma-śāstra reasoning—evaluating character (bhāva) over appearances when making decisions in royal and social life.