Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 87

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

Devanagari script

बुद्धिभक्षार्थयोः शब्दकर्मकाणां निजेच्छया । प्रयोज्य कर्मण्यन्येषां ण्यंतानां लादयो मताः ॥ ८७ ॥

Transliteration

buddhibhakṣārthayoḥ śabdakarmakāṇāṃ nijecchayā | prayojya karmaṇyanyeṣāṃ ṇyaṃtānāṃ lādayo matāḥ || 87 ||

Translation

في الأفعال التي معناها «إحداثُ المعرفة» أو «إحداثُ الأكل»، وفي الأفعال التي يكون مفعولها لفظاً منطوقاً، يجوز استعمالُ صيغة السببية (ṇyanta) بحسب الاختيار. وكذلك في سائر الأفعال، تُفهَم لواحقُ la- (la-ādi) على أنها تُستعمل مع تلك الصيغ السببية إذا أُريد بها معنى «جعلِ غيره يقوم بالفعل».

Word by Word

• buddhi-bhakṣa-arthayoḥ: of intellect, eating, and meaning/purpose
• buddhi-bhakṣa-arthayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: buddhi (प्रातिपदिक) + bhakṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—द्वन्द्व (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व; three members); पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्तिः; द्विवचन-रूप (Genitive dual ending -yoḥ used for the compound set)

• śabda-karmakāṇām: of those whose object is a word/sound (śabda-karmaka roots)
• śabda-karmakāṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śabda (प्रातिपदिक) + karmaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—तत्पुरुष (कर्मधारय: शब्दः कर्म यस्य/शब्दकर्मक); पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्तिः; बहुवचन

• nija-icchayā: by one’s own will
• nija-icchayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nija (प्रातिपदिक) + icchā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—कर्मधारय (निजा इच्छा); स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्तिः (Instrumental); एकवचन

• prayojya: having caused to be used / having employed
• prayojya: Kriya (क्रिया; पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√yuj (धातु) + ṇic (णिच्) + ya (ल्यप्/य)
• Form: कृदन्तः—ल्यप्/य-प्रत्ययान्त (gerund/absolutive); णिच्-प्रयोजक-भाव (causative base)

• karmaṇi: in the object (karma) sense
• karmaṇi: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्तिः; एकवचन

• anyeṣām: of others
• anyeṣām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्तिः; बहुवचन

• ṇyaṃtānām: of ṇya-ending (causative/derived) forms
• ṇyaṃtānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṇyaṃta (प्रातिपदिक; from ṇic/ṇya derivation class)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्तिः; बहुवचन

• lādayaḥ: la etc. (la-affixes and the like)
• lādayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्तिः; बहुवचन; 'lādi' = la-ādi (beginning with la)

• matāḥ: are considered
• matāḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √man (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: कृदन्तः—क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्तिः; बहुवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It presents Vyākaraṇa (grammar) as a Vedāṅga discipline: precise language-use safeguards the correct transmission of Vedic meaning, which supports dharma and ultimately aids mokṣa-oriented study.

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

Indirectly: by clarifying correct verb-forms and meanings, it supports accurate recitation and understanding of sacred texts—an essential foundation for steady Vishnu-bhakti grounded in śāstra.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vyākaraṇa: it highlights the causative formation (ṇyanta/ṇic) and the use of finite verb endings (laṭ etc.) when expressing ‘causing another to do an action’, including optional usage in certain semantic classes.