Shloka 54

Rukmāṅgada–Vāmadeva Saṃvāda: Ahimsa, Hunting, and the Fruit of Dvādaśī-Bhakti

Devanagari script

पतव्रता दानशीला सर्वभूतसुखावहा । नावज्ञा क्रियते ब्रह्मन् वाक्येनापि प्रसूप्तया ॥ ५४ ॥

Transliteration

patavratā dānaśīlā sarvabhūtasukhāvahā | nāvajñā kriyate brahman vākyenāpi prasūptayā || 54 ||

Translation

她坚守贞顺之誓，乐行布施，令一切众生得安乐。噢，婆罗门啊，她从不轻慢，纵以一言亦不为之，即便他人疏忽怠惰。

Word by Word

• पतिव्रता: devoted to her husband
• पतिव्रता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पति + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular; Tatpuruṣa (‘having vow towards husband’), used as predicate adjective

• दानशीला: charitable
• दानशीला: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दान + शील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular; Tatpuruṣa (‘having the nature of giving’)

• सर्वभूतसुखावहा: bringing happiness to all beings
• सर्वभूतसुखावहा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + भूत + सुख + आवह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular; Tatpuruṣa (‘bringing happiness to all beings’)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle (निषेधार्थक निपात)

• अवज्ञा: disrespect/insult
• अवज्ञा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अवज्ञा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• क्रियते: is done/is made
• क्रियते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person, Singular, Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद), passive sense (कर्मणि प्रयोग)

• ब्रह्मन्: O brāhmaṇa (revered one)
• ब्रह्मन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• वाक्येन: by words/speech
• वाक्येन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• अपि: even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), concessive/emphatic

• प्रसूप्तया: by (her) being asleep / even in sleep
• प्रसूप्तया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रसुप्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; प्र + स्वप्)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular; past passive participle (क्त) used adjectivally; ‘while asleep/being asleep’

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue tradition with Sanatkumara lineage; verse framed as instruction addressed to a Brahmin interlocutor)

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 defines dharmic excellence as inner restraint expressed through charity, beneficence to all beings, and the refusal to insult others even verbally—purifying one’s karma and character.

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

Bhakti is supported by sāttvika conduct: compassion, generosity, and gentle speech. The verse shows that devotion is not only ritual worship but also non-contempt and kindness toward all beings.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It emphasizes disciplined vāc (speech) and ethical conduct aligned with Dharmaśāstra norms; practically, it points to mindful language (a Vyākaraṇa/śabda-based discipline of correct, non-harmful expression) as part of righteous living.