Shloka 40
धर्मद्वारबहुत्वविमर्शः — Reflection on the Many ‘Doors’ of Dharma (Śānti-parva 342)
आपो नारा इति प्रोक्ता आपो वै नरसूनव: । अयनं मम तत् पूर्वमतो नारायणो हाहम्,नरसे उत्पन्न होनेके कारण जलको नार कहा गया है। वह नार (जल) पहले मेरा अयन (निवासस्थान) था; इसलिये ही मैं “नारायण” कहलाता हूँ
āpo nārā iti proktā āpo vai narasūnavaḥ | ayanaṃ mama tat pūrvam ato nārāyaṇo hy aham ||
জলকে ‘নারা’ বলা হয়, কারণ জলই নর-এর সন্তান। পূর্বকালে সেই ‘নারা’—জল—আমার অয়ন, আমার নিবাস ছিল; তাই আমি ‘নারায়ণ’ নামে অভিহিত।
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse offers a traditional nirukti (etymological-theological explanation) of the name ‘Nārāyaṇa’: since ‘Nārā’ denotes the waters (said here to be born of Nara) and these waters are the deity’s primordial abode (ayana), the divine is called Nārāyaṇa—highlighting cosmic origin, sovereignty, and sacred identity.
Arjuna speaks and explains the derivation of the epithet ‘Nārāyaṇa’ by linking it to ‘Nārā’ (waters) and ‘ayana’ (abode). The statement functions as a doctrinal clarification within the Shānti Parva’s reflective discourse, grounding a revered divine name in cosmological imagery.