Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24

The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release

Devanagari script

अपश्यन्मानुषं मासं परमेण समाधिना । अहोऽस्य राज्ञो दौःशील्यमभक्ष्यं दत्तवान्मम ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

apaśyanmānuṣaṃ māsaṃ parameṇa samādhinā | aho'sya rājño dauḥśīlyamabhakṣyaṃ dattavānmama || 24 ||

Translation

Trong suốt một tháng nhân gian, ta đã không hay biết gì, chìm đắm trong đại định (Samadhi) tối thượng. Than ôi! Nhà vua này thật đồi bại! Hắn đã dâng cho ta thứ không được phép ăn.

Word by Word

• apaśyat: he saw
• apaśyat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (दृश् धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (लङ्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• mānuṣam: human
• mānuṣam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mānuṣa (मानुष प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective to māṃsam

• māṃsam: flesh/meat
• māṃsam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māṃsa (मांस प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• parameṇa: supreme / highest
• parameṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (परम प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective to samādhinā

• samādhinā: by (deep) meditation/trance
• samādhinā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: samādhi (समाधि प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• aho: alas!/oh!
• aho: Vākyārtha-dyotaka (वाक्यार्थ-द्योतक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: aho (अहो अव्यय)
• Form: Exclamatory particle (विस्मयादि अव्यय)

• asya: of this (man) / his
• asya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (इदम् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन) सर्वनाम

• rājñaḥ: of the king
• rājñaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (राजन् प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• dauḥśīlyam: wicked conduct / depravity
• dauḥśīlyam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dauḥśīlya (दौःशील्य प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• abhakṣyam: unfit to be eaten / forbidden
• abhakṣyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhakṣya (अभक्ष्य प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); predicate/qualifier of māṃsam (implied)

• dattavān: (he) gave / has given
• dattavān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dā (दा धातु)
• Form: Past active participle (क्तवतु/क्तवत्), Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); used as finite sense ‘has given’

• mama: to me / of me
• mama: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (अस्मद् सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन) सर्वनाम

Speaker

Narada (narrative voice within the dialogue tradition, describing an incident as a moral critique)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Raja (king)

FAQs

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

It contrasts inner absorption (samādhi) with outer dharma: even a holy person can be harmed by adharmic offerings, so purity and righteousness in giving are spiritually decisive.

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

Bhakti is not only meditation; it is sustained by sattvic conduct. A king’s impure gift (abhakṣya) undermines sacred exchange, showing that devotion must be supported by ethical living and pure offerings.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It points to dharma-śāstra style discipline about śuddhi (purity) and abhakṣya (forbidden foods), a practical rule-set closely tied to ritual correctness (kalpa) and daily conduct.