Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 83

The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca

Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta

Devanagari script

गुप्तरूपा गुप्तविषा मूषिका गृहगोधिकाः । नानाविषाश्च ये घोरा महोपविषसंज्ञकाः ॥ ८३ ॥

Transliteration

guptarūpā guptaviṣā mūṣikā gṛhagodhikāḥ | nānāviṣāśca ye ghorā mahopaviṣasaṃjñakāḥ || 83 ||

Translation

جو اپنی صورت بھی چھپاتے ہیں اور زہر بھی پوشیدہ رکھتے ہیں—جیسے چوہے اور گھریلو چھپکلی—اور طرح طرح کے زہروں والے جو ہولناک جاندار ہیں، وہ ‘مہوپ وِش’ کہلاتے ہیں۔

Word by Word

• गुप्तरूपाः: hidden-formed
• गुप्तरूपाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुप्त-रूप (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण; ‘गुप्तं रूपं येषाम्’ (having hidden form)

• गुप्तविषाः: concealed-poisoned
• गुप्तविषाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुप्त-विष (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण; ‘गुप्तं विषं येषाम्’ (with concealed poison)

• मूषिकाः: mice/rats
• मूषिकाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मूषिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• गृहगोधिकाः: house-lizards
• गृहगोधिकाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गृह-गोधिका (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (गोधिका), प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; ‘गृहे’ वसन्त्यः गोधिकाः (house-lizards)

• नानाविषाः: many-poisoned / of various venoms
• नानाविषाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नाना-विष (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण; ‘नानाविधानि विषाणि येषाम्’ (of many kinds of poison)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• ये: who/which
• ये: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक-सर्वनाम

• घोराः: terrible
• घोराः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• महोपविषसंज्ञकाः: designated as ‘mahā-upaviṣa’
• महोपविषसंज्ञकाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महा-उपविष-संज्ञक (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; विशेषण; ‘महोपविष’ इति संज्ञा येषाम् (called ‘mahā-upaviṣa’)

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a technical, classificatory mode within Book 1.3)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka (fear)

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)

FAQs

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

It frames practical discernment (viveka) as part of dharma—recognizing hidden dangers in the world and naming/classifying them correctly, so one can act with awareness and restraint.

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

Indirectly: bhakti is lived in a disciplined life. The verse supports a devotee’s steady practice by emphasizing caution and protection of the body and household, which are instruments for sādhana.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

A technical, applied knowledge-stream aligned with Vedic auxiliary sciences—systematic classification and terminology (lakṣaṇa/saṃjñā) used for ritual and daily-life safety, akin to traditional toxicology (viṣa-vidyā).