Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 53

Vyākaraṇa-saṅgraha: Pada–Vibhakti–Kāraka–Lakāra–Samāsa

Devanagari script

भवाद्यर्थे तु कानीनः क्षत्रियो वैदिकः स्वकः । स्वार्थे चौरस्तु तुल्यार्थे चंद्रवन्मुखमीक्षते ॥ ५३ ॥

Transliteration

bhavādyarthe tu kānīnaḥ kṣatriyo vaidikaḥ svakaḥ | svārthe caurastu tulyārthe caṃdravanmukhamīkṣate || 53 ||

Translation

في الدلالة التي تبتدئ بـ«bhava» بحسب بعض الاستعمالات الاصطلاحية يُؤخذ اللفظ بمعنى kānīna؛ وفي استعمال آخر بمعنى kṣatriya؛ وفي الاستعمال الفيدي بمعنى svaka. وأما في معناه الأصلي فهو caura (لصّ)، وفي المعنى المجازي المساوي يُقال إنه «ينظر إلى وجهٍ كالقمر».

Word by Word

• bhava-ādi-arthe: in the sense of ‘bhava’ etc.
• bhava-ādi-arthe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhava + ādi + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; समासः—भव-आदि (द्वन्द्व/समाहार-भावः) + अर्थे (सप्तमी) = भव-आदि-अर्थे (तत्पुरुषः); ‘in the sense of bhava etc.’

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), contrast/emphasis

• kānīnaḥ: a son of an unmarried girl (kānīna)
• kānīnaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kānīna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• kṣatriyaḥ: a Kṣatriya
• kṣatriyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣatriya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• vaidikaḥ: Vedic / pertaining to the Veda
• vaidikaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vaidika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; विशेषणम् (qualifying)

• svakaḥ: one’s own / belonging to oneself
• svakaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; विशेषणम्

• svārthe: in one’s own sense/meaning
• svārthe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; समासः—स्व-अर्थ (तत्पुरुषः)

• cauraḥ: a thief
• cauraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: caura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), contrast/emphasis

• tulya-arthe: in an equivalent sense
• tulya-arthe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tulya + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; समासः—तुल्य-अर्थ (तत्पुरुषः)

• candra-vat: like the moon
• candra-vat: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: candra + vat (प्रातिपदिक/तद्धित)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय) formed with -वत् (vat) meaning ‘like’; adverbial comparison

• mukham: face
• mukham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• īkṣate: looks at / beholds
• īkṣate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: Lakāra: Laṭ (लट्, Present), 3rd Person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a technical/semantic exposition within Moksha-Dharma context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It highlights disciplined interpretation—distinguishing primary meaning from contextual or Vedic usage—so that scriptural study supports right understanding, which is foundational to Moksha-dharma.

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

Indirectly: Bhakti relies on correct comprehension of sacred words and names; this verse reinforces careful reading so devotional practice is aligned with authentic Vedic and Purāṇic intent.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedāṅga methodology—especially Vyākaraṇa/Nirukta-style semantic analysis: distinguishing svārtha (primary sense), tulyārtha (equivalent/figurative sense), and vaidika (Vedic-specific usage).