Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 7

Anukramaṇī (Synoptic Table of Contents) of the Śrī Bṛhannāradīya Purāṇa

Devanagari script

सनत्कुमारमुनिना नारदाय तृतीयके । पुराणलक्षणं चैव प्रमाणं दानमेव च ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

sanatkumāramuninā nāradāya tṛtīyake | purāṇalakṣaṇaṃ caiva pramāṇaṃ dānameva ca || 7 ||

Translation

তৃতীয় পাদে মুনি সনৎকুমার নারদকে পুরাণের লক্ষণ, প্রমাণ (জ্ঞানসিদ্ধির মানদণ্ড) এবং দানধর্ম উপদেশ দিয়েছেন।

Word by Word

• sanat-kumāra-muninā: by the sage Sanatkumāra
• sanat-kumāra-muninā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sanat-kumāra (प्रातिपदिक) + muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (‘the sage Sanatkumāra’); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• nāradāya: to Nārada
• nāradāya: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nārada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी, एकवचन

• tṛtīyake: in the third (part)
• tṛtīyake: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tṛtīyaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; विशेषण with implied ‘pāde/adhyāye’ = ‘in the third (section)’

• purāṇa-lakṣaṇam: the characteristics/definition of a Purāṇa
• purāṇa-lakṣaṇam: Karma (कर्म) / Viṣaya (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purāṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + lakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• eva: indeed/also
• eva: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• pramāṇam: means of valid knowledge/authority
• pramāṇam: Karma (कर्म) / Viṣaya (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pramāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• dānam: gift/charity
• dānam: Karma (कर्म) / Viṣaya (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• eva: indeed/also
• eva: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

Speaker

Suta (narrator) describing Sanatkumara’s instruction to Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Sanatkumara
• Narada

FAQs

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

It frames Sanatkumāra’s curriculum to Nārada: understanding what a Purāṇa is (purāṇa-lakṣaṇa), how truth is known (pramāṇa), and how dharma is practiced through giving (dāna)—linking right knowledge with right action.

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

Indirectly: by establishing pramāṇa (authoritative sources) and purāṇic definition, it validates Purāṇas as guides for dharma and devotion; dāna is also a supportive limb that purifies the devotee and sustains sacred learning and worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse points to pramāṇa—practical epistemology used in śāstric study (how to evaluate authority and evidence). While not a Vedāṅga itself, it underpins disciplined interpretation of Vedic and purāṇic teachings.