Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38
Vyākaraṇa-saṅgraha: Pada–Vibhakti–Kāraka–Lakāra–Samāsa
राजा पंथास्तथा दंडी ब्रह्महा पंच चाष्ट च । अष्टौ अयं मुने सम्राट् सविभ्रद्वपुङ्मनः ॥ ३८ ॥
rājā paṃthāstathā daṃḍī brahmahā paṃca cāṣṭa ca | aṣṭau ayaṃ mune samrāṭ savibhradvapuṅmanaḥ || 38 ||
Hỡi bậc hiền triết, đấng quân vương ấy (Thời gian/Tử thần), thân tâm khiến người kính sợ, được nói có tám hình tướng: vua, con đường, kẻ cầm trượng trừng phạt, kẻ sát hại Bà-la-môn, năm đại (ngũ đại), và cả nhóm tám nữa.
Sanatkumara (addressing Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
The verse frames an overpowering cosmic authority (often understood as Time/Death and moral retribution) as manifesting through worldly structures—kingship, law/punishment, and even the elemental order—showing that dharma and karmic consequence are inescapable and ultimately meant to turn the mind toward moksha.
By emphasizing that worldly power, punishment, and the results of grave sins operate under a higher sovereignty, the verse indirectly urges surrender to the Supreme and a dharmic life—foundational attitudes for Vishnu-bhakti in Moksha Dharma contexts.
It primarily highlights nīti/dharma reasoning rather than a specific Vedāṅga; however, the enumeration style reflects traditional śāstric classification used across disciplines (including Vyākaraṇa and Jyotiṣa) to teach ordered categories like “five” (elements) and “eightfold” groupings.