Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 4
Nirukta, Phonetic Variants, and Vedic Dhātu–Svara Taxonomy
सिद्धेद्वर्णागमाद्धंसः सिंहो वर्णविपर्ययात् । गूढोत्मा वर्णविकृतेर्वर्णनांशात्पृषोदरः ॥ ४ ॥
siddhedvarṇāgamāddhaṃsaḥ siṃho varṇaviparyayāt | gūḍhotmā varṇavikṛtervarṇanāṃśātpṛṣodaraḥ || 4 ||
বৰ্ণাগমে ‘হংস’ শব্দ সিদ্ধ হয়, বৰ্ণবিপৰ্যয়ে ‘সিংহ’; বৰ্ণবিকৃতিয়ে ‘গূঢ়াত্মা’, আৰু বৰ্ণলোপৰ অংশে ‘পৃষোদৰ’—এইদৰে শব্দসমূহ ব্যাকৰণীয় ক্রিয়াৰে নিৰূপিত।
Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada on Vyakarana/Śabda-śāstra)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It shows that even subtle shifts in sound (varṇa) change meaning, training the seeker in precision of speech and understanding—disciplines valued in Mokṣa-dharma because correct knowledge depends on correct words.
Indirectly, it supports bhakti by emphasizing accurate recitation and comprehension of sacred names and mantras—since a small phonetic change can alter meaning, careful śabda-prayoga safeguards devotional practice.
Vyākaraṇa: derivation of words through operations like āgama (letter insertion), viparyaya (transposition), vikṛti (phonetic alteration), and nāśa/lopa (elision), illustrated with standard example-words.