Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 76

Gaṅgā-māhātmya: Bāhu’s Envy, Defeat, Forest Exile, and Aurva’s Dharmic Consolation

Devanagari script

पत्युः कृतक्रिया सा तु गत्वाश्रमपदं मुनेः । चकार तस्य शुश्रूषां सपत्न्या सह नारद ॥ ७६ ॥

Transliteration

patyuḥ kṛtakriyā sā tu gatvāśramapadaṃ muneḥ | cakāra tasya śuśrūṣāṃ sapatnyā saha nārada || 76 ||

Translation

وبعد أن أدّت شعائر الجنازة لزوجها، مضت إلى أشرم الناسك. وهناك، يا نارادا، كرّست نفسها لخدمة ذلك الموني مع ضَرَّتها.

Word by Word

• patyuḥ: of (her) husband
• patyuḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (genitive), एकवचन

• kṛta-kriyā: having performed the rites
• kṛta-kriyā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृ-धातोः क्त) + kriyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘कृता क्रिया यया सा’ (कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-प्रायः प्रयोगः), अर्थतः—अन्त्येष्टि-कृतवती

• sā: she
• sā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• tu: then/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/अन्वयबोधक अव्यय (but/indeed)

• gatvā: having gone
• gatvā: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive), अव्ययभावः

• āśrama-padam: the hermitage-place
• āśrama-padam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āśrama (प्रातिपदिक) + pada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘आश्रमस्य पदम्’ (place of the hermitage)

• muneḥ: of the sage
• muneḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• cakāra: did/performed
• cakāra: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• śuśrūṣām: service/attendance
• śuśrūṣām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śuśrūṣā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• sa-patnyā: with the co-wife
• sa-patnyā: Sahakāraka (सह/साकं)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sa (अव्यय/उपसर्गसदृश) + patnī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन; अव्ययीभावः—‘पत्‍न्या सह’ = with the co-wife

• saha: together with
• saha: Sahakāraka (सह)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: सहार्थक अव्यय (with)

• nārada: O Nārada
• nārada: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन; नाम (proper noun)

Speaker

Suta (narrator)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Muni

FAQs

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

It links two pillars of dharma—proper rites for the departed (kṛta-kriyā) and humble service to a sage (śuśrūṣā)—showing that ritual duty and disciplined ashram-life together refine character and spiritual merit.

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

While not naming a deity directly, it highlights śuśrūṣā (reverent service) in a muni’s āśrama, a classic bhakti-aligned discipline where humility, obedience, and service prepare the heart for devotion and higher instruction.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse points to kalpa/ritual practice in the form of kṛta-kriyā—performance of prescribed rites for the husband—indicating the importance of correct procedure and dharmic observance before entering sustained ashram service.