Shloka 25

Procedure for the Guḍa-dhenū (Jaggery-Cow) Gift; Ten Dhenu-dānas; Yearlong Gaṅgā Worship and Darśana

Devanagari script

सुर्वणधेनुमप्यत्र केचिदिच्छंति सूरयः । नवनीतेन तैलेन तथा केऽपि महर्षयः ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

survaṇadhenumapyatra kecidicchaṃti sūrayaḥ | navanītena tailena tathā ke'pi maharṣayaḥ || 25 ||

Translation

یہاں بعض اہلِ علم دیویہ سونے کی دھینو (سورن دھینو) کی بھی آرزو کرتے ہیں؛ اسی طرح کچھ مہارشی نوَنیت (مکھن) اور تیل کی خواہش رکھتے ہیں۔

Word by Word

• suvarṇa-dhenum: a golden cow (gift-cow)
• suvarṇa-dhenum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suvarṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + dhenu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (genitive determinative): ‘suvarṇasya dhenūḥ’

• api: also/even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), समुच्चय/अपि = ‘also/even’

• atra: here/in this context
• atra: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• kecit: some (people)
• kecit: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural); अनिश्चित-सर्वनाम (indefinite pronoun)

• icchanti: desire/want
• icchanti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: iṣ (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद (Parasmaipada), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन (Plural)

• sūrayaḥ: the learned/wise
• sūrayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sūri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

• navanītena: with butter
• navanītena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: navanīta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• tailena: with oil
• tailena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: taila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन (Singular)

• tathā: likewise/so
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb): ‘thus/likewise’

• ke: some
• ke: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural); अनिश्चित-सर्वनाम (indefinite)

• api: also
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle) = ‘also’

• maharṣayaḥ: great sages
• maharṣayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: maharṣi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), बहुवचन (Plural)

Speaker

Narada (narrative voice within the Tirtha-Mahatmya section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It highlights how, even in sacred contexts, people’s intentions vary—some seek grand gifts (like a golden cow), while others seek simple necessities (butter, oil), pointing to the role of desire and offering in dharmic practice.

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

By implication, it contrasts material wishing with the higher aim of worship: in Bhakti, offerings are meant to support service and purity of intent rather than mere acquisition; the verse sets a backdrop for examining motives in religious acts.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual pragmatics connected to Kalpa (procedural aspects of offerings and dana): it reflects how specific items (cow/wealth, ghee-like butter, oil) function as recognized ritual/charitable goods in dharmic observance.