Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 52

Dhvaja-Dhāraṇa Mahātmyam: Sumati–Satyamatī, Humility, and Deliverance by Hari’s Messengers

Devanagari script

यमदूतास्तदायाताः पाशहस्ता भयंकराः । नेतुमावां नृत्यरतौ सुधोरां यमयातनाम् ॥ ५२ ॥

Transliteration

yamadūtāstadāyātāḥ pāśahastā bhayaṃkarāḥ | netumāvāṃ nṛtyaratau sudhorāṃ yamayātanām || 52 ||

Translation

其时阎摩（Yama）之使者到来——手执绳索之套，形相可怖——要将沉醉于舞中的我们，押往“苏陀罗”（Sudhorā），阎摩刑罚之处。

Word by Word

• यम-दूताः: Yama’s messengers
• यम-दूताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यम (प्रातिपदिक) + दूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (यमस्य दूताः)

• तदा: then
• तदा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (temporal adverb)

• आयाताः: came
• आयाताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आयात (कृदन्त; या + आ)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विधेयविशेषण (having come)

• पाश-हस्ताः: having nooses in (their) hands
• पाश-हस्ताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाश (प्रातिपदिक) + हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—बहुव्रीहिः (पाशः हस्ते येषां ते)

• भयङ्कराः: terrifying
• भयङ्कराः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भयङ्कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• नेतुम्: to lead
• नेतुम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Infinitival purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नी (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (Infinitive), परस्मैपद; अर्थः—कर्तुम्/नेतुं (to lead)

• आवाम्: us two
• आवाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, द्वितीया, द्विवचन

• नृत्य-रतौ: engaged in dancing
• नृत्य-रतौ: Karma (कर्म/Object; qualifier of आवाम्)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नृत्य (प्रातिपदिक) + रत (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, द्विवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (नृत्ये रतौ)

• सु-घोराम्: very dreadful
• सु-घोराम्: Karma (कर्म/Object; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (सु + घोरा = very terrible)

• यम-यातनाम्: Yama’s torment (punishment)
• यम-यातनाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object/Goal)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यम (प्रातिपदिक) + यातना (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (यमस्य यातना)

Speaker

Narrator (within the Narada–Sanatkumāra dialogue frame)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Yama
• Yamadūtas
• Pāśa (noose)
• Sudhorā

FAQs

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

It emphasizes karma’s inevitability: heedless indulgence (here, being absorbed in dancing) can culminate in confrontation with Yama’s agents, symbolizing the soul being compelled to face the results of its actions.

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

By contrasting worldly absorption with the fear of Yama’s punishment, it indirectly urges turning the mind toward dharma and devotion—classically, Narada Purana frames sincere Vishnu-bhakti and righteous conduct as safeguards that transform one’s destiny after death.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse is primarily dharma–karma instruction rather than a Vedanga lesson; practically, it supports smṛti-based ethical discipline (right conduct and restraint), which underlies correct ritual life and daily observances.