Shloka 10

Pātivratya-kathana

The Narrative of the Pativrata

Devanagari script

अभिवादय चार्वंगीं त्वं निजामिव मातरम् । तत्पितुर्वचनं श्रुत्वा हयसंस्थामरिंदमः ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

abhivādaya cārvaṃgīṃ tvaṃ nijāmiva mātaram | tatpiturvacanaṃ śrutvā hayasaṃsthāmariṃdamaḥ || 10 ||

Translation

“当如礼敬亲母一般，向这位肢体娴美的女士致敬。”听闻父命，那位降伏怨敌者便趋近于她——她正立于马背之上（以马之形）。

Word by Word

• abhivādaya: salute
• abhivādaya: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb; command)
• Type: Verb
• Root: abhi-√vad (धातु)
• Form: Imperative (लोट्), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• arvaṃgīm: the fair-limbed (woman)
• arvaṃgīm: Karma (कर्म/Object; person addressed to salute)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: arvaṃgī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• nijām: one’s own
• nijām: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier of mātaram)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• iva: as/like
• iva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Comparator)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iva (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle of comparison (उपमावाचक अव्यय)

• mātaram: mother
• mātaram: Karma (कर्म/Object; of abhivādaya)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mātṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tat-pituḥ-vacanam: the words of his father
• tat-pituḥ-vacanam: Karma (कर्म/Object; of śrutvā)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tat (प्रातिपदिक) + pitṛ (प्रातिपदिक) + vacana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष): ‘that father’s word’; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• śrutvā: having heard
• śrutvā: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √śru (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वा), indeclinable (अव्ययभाव)

• haya-saṃsthām: the horse-seat/posture (mounted position)
• haya-saṃsthām: Karma (कर्म/Object; implied ‘mounted/assumed’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: haya (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃsthā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष): ‘horse-posture/seat’; Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ariṃdamaḥ: the foe-subduer (hero)
• ariṃdamaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ariṃdama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narrative voice; dialogue reported within the story)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It emphasizes dharmic conduct through abhivādana—training the mind to see the revered woman as “mother,” which purifies intention and strengthens self-restraint (maryādā) in sacred narratives.

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

Though not a direct bhakti injunction, it supports bhakti by cultivating humility and reverence; honoring elders and mother-figures is treated as a devotional discipline that aligns one’s behavior with sacred values.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse reflects gṛhya/ācāra practice (abhivādana—formal respectful greeting). It is an applied dharma rule often supported by śikṣā (proper recitation) and vyākaraṇa (correct forms) in ritualized speech.