Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 67

Mārkaṇḍeya-varṇanam

The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya

Devanagari script

आश्रमाचारनिरतास्तथैवातिथिपूजकाः । ये च वेदार्थवक्तारस्ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ६७ ॥

Transliteration

āśramācāraniratāstathaivātithipūjakāḥ | ye ca vedārthavaktāraste vai bhāgavatottamāḥ || 67 ||

Translation

الذين يلازمون السلوك القويم لمراتب الآشراما (āśrama)، ويكرمون الضيف ويعبدونه بالخدمة، ويقدرون على بيان معاني الفيدا (Veda)—فأولئك حقًّا هم أسمى البهاغافاتا، أرفع عباد الربّ.

Word by Word

• आश्रमाचारनिरताः: devoted to the conduct of the āśramas
• आश्रमाचारनिरताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आश्रम + आचार + निरत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (आश्रम-आचारे निरताः = devoted to āśrama-conduct)

• तथा: thus, likewise
• तथा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: रीत्यर्थक अव्यय (adverb: ‘thus/so’)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Nipata (निपात/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक अव्यय (particle: ‘only/indeed’)

• अतिथिपूजकाः: honorers of guests
• अतिथिपूजकाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; qualifier)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अतिथि + पूजक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (अतिथीन् पूजयन्ति इति = worshippers of guests)

• ये: who
• ये: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय

• वेदार्थवक्तारः: expounders of Vedic meaning
• वेदार्थवक्तारः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject; qualifier)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद + अर्थ + वक्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (वेदस्य अर्थं वदन्ति = speakers of the meaning of the Veda)

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• वै: indeed
• वै: Nipata (निपात/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक अव्यय

• भागवतोत्तमाः: the best devotees
• भागवतोत्तमाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject complement)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भागवत + उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)

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 the ‘bhāgavatottama’ as one whose devotion is proven through disciplined dharma (āśrama-ācāra), selfless hospitality (atithi-sevā), and true understanding of Vedic meaning (vedārtha).

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

Bhakti here is not mere emotion; it is devotion expressed as righteous living, reverence to others (especially guests), and the ability to communicate Vedic truth—showing devotion aligned with dharma and jñāna.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes vedārtha-vaktṛtva—competence to explain Vedic meaning—implying disciplined study and interpretive skill supported by Vedāṅga tools such as Vyākaraṇa (grammar) and Nirukta (etymology).