Shloka 56

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

Devanagari script

इष्टा श्वशुरयोश्वाहं सौशीन्येन जनस्य च । कालेन पंचतां प्राप्तः श्वशुरो वेदतत्त्ववित् ॥ ५६ ॥

Transliteration

iṣṭā śvaśurayośvāhaṃ sauśīnyena janasya ca | kālena paṃcatāṃ prāptaḥ śvaśuro vedatattvavit || 56 ||

Translation

ด้วยความประพฤติดี ข้าพเจ้าเป็นที่รักของพ่อแม่สามีและผู้คน; ครั้นกาลล่วงไป บิดาสามีผู้รู้แก่นแห่งพระเวทก็ถึงสภาพปัญจธาตุ (ถึงแก่กรรม)

Word by Word

• इष्टा: dear
• इष्टा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: इष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — dear/liked

• श्वशुरयोः: of (my) in-laws
• श्वशुरयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्वशुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध/Genitive), द्विवचन — of the two fathers-in-law (parents-in-law pair intended)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय — and

• अहम्: I
• अहम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: सर्वनाम, प्रथमा, एकवचन — I

• सौशीन्येन: by good conduct
• सौशीन्येन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौशीन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन — by gentleness/good conduct

• जनस्य: of the people
• जनस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन — of the people

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, समुच्चय — and

• कालेन: in course of time
• कालेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन — by time/in course of time

• पञ्चताम्: death
• पञ्चताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्चता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन — the state of five-ness (death)

• प्राप्तः: reached
• प्राप्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + आप् (धातु) → प्राप्त (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (Past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — having reached

• श्वशुरः: father-in-law
• श्वशुरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्वशुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — father-in-law

• वेदतत्त्ववित्: knower of Vedic truth
• वेदतत्त्ववित्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेद + तत्त्व + विद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुष (वेदस्य तत्त्वं वेदति इति) — knower of the truth of the Veda

Speaker

Narrator (a first-person character within the tirtha/mahatmya narrative of Narada Purana; framed in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It links social harmony and dharmic character (sauśīnya) with the unavoidable truth of impermanence—even a Veda-knower meets death—urging steady righteousness and spiritual focus.

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

While not naming a deity directly, it supports Bhakti indirectly by emphasizing purity of conduct and humility; devotion in the Narada Purana is sustained by sadācāra and awareness of life’s transience.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The phrase veda-tattva-vit points to understanding the essence of Vedic teaching (tattva), implying that true learning is not mere recitation but grasping meaning—useful for Vyākaraṇa-based textual clarity and Dharma-based application.