Shloka 17

The Account of Kāṣṭhīlā (Kāṣṭhīlā-ākhyāna) within the Mohinī Narrative

Devanagari script

सा च्युता नरकाद्धोरात्सप्तजन्मानि पंच च । सूकरीं योनिमाप्नोति चांडालीं च ततः परम् ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

sā cyutā narakāddhorātsaptajanmāni paṃca ca | sūkarīṃ yonimāpnoti cāṃḍālīṃ ca tataḥ param || 17 ||

Translation

自那可怖地狱堕出之后，她还要经历十二次转生；先入母猪之胎，继而又成旃陀罗之女。

Word by Word

• सा: she
• सा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता), एकवचन

• च्युता: fallen/departed
• च्युता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: च्यु (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘सा’ इत्यस्य विशेषण

• नरकात्: from hell
• नरकात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नरक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (अपादान), एकवचन

• घोरात्: terrible
• घोरात्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घोर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी, एकवचन; विशेषण (to ‘नरकात्’)

• सप्त-जन्मानि: seven births
• सप्त-जन्मानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सप्त (संख्या) + जन्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म/परिमाण), बहुवचन; द्विगु-समास (सप्त जन्मानि)

• पञ्च: five
• पञ्च: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पञ्च (संख्या-अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: संख्याशब्द; अत्र ‘जन्मानि’ इत्यस्य परिमाणवाचक (five)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-निपात (conjunction)

• सूकरीम्: a sow (female pig)
• सूकरीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूकरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• योनिम्: womb/birth-state
• योनिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• आप्नोति: attains
• आप्नोति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आप् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• चाण्डालीम्: a Caṇḍāla woman (outcaste)
• चाण्डालीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चाण्डाली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म), एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-निपात (conjunction)

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Desha/Kala-Avyaya (देश/काल-अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb), क्रम/अपादानार्थ (thereafter/from that)

• परम्: further/next
• परम्: Sambandha/Avyaya (सम्बन्ध/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभूत-प्रयोग (adverbial accusative), ‘further/next’

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a didactic narration on karma-phala; traditional dialogue framework with Sanatkumara lineage)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

FAQs

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

It emphasizes the continuity of karma-phala beyond naraka: even after suffering in hell, residual demerit can propel the jīva into degrading yonis and socially painful births, urging ethical restraint and purification.

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

By highlighting the gravity of sinful action and its long aftermath, the verse indirectly supports taking refuge in dharma and Viṣṇu-bhakti with repentance and corrective conduct, which Purāṇas present as a purifier that can counteract karmic downfall.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse is primarily about karma and rebirth rather than a specific Vedāṅga; practically, it aligns with Dharmaśāstra-style guidance—avoidance of pāpa and adoption of prāyaścitta/vrata disciplines described in Purāṇic ritual sections.