Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3

Gṛhastha-praveśa: Vivāha-bheda, Ācāra-śauca, Śrāddha-kāla, and Vaiṣṇava-lakṣaṇa

Devanagari script

रुपलावण्यसंपन्नां सगुणां सुकुलोद्भवाम् । द्विजः समुद्वहेत्कन्यां सुशीलां धर्म चारिणीम् ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

rupalāvaṇyasaṃpannāṃ saguṇāṃ sukulodbhavām | dvijaḥ samudvahetkanyāṃ suśīlāṃ dharma cāriṇīm || 3 ||

Translation

দ্বিজের উচিত এমন কন্যাকে বিবাহ করা, যে রূপ-লাবণ্যে সমৃদ্ধ, সদ্‌গুণসম্পন্ন, সুকুলজাত, সুশীলা এবং ধর্মাচারিণী।

Word by Word

• rūpa-lāvaṇya-sampannām: endowed with beauty and charm
• rūpa-lāvaṇya-sampannām: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rūpa (प्रातिपदिक) + lāvaṇya (प्रातिपदिक) + sampanna (कृदन्त; √pad/पद् + क्त) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying kanyām; ‘endowed with beauty and grace’

• sa-guṇām: virtuous
• sa-guṇām: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (प्रातिपदिक/उपसर्गार्थ ‘with’) + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; bahuvrīhi ‘one who has virtues’ qualifying kanyām

• su-kula-udbhavām: born of a good family
• su-kula-udbhavām: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थ) + kula (प्रातिपदिक) + udbhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying kanyām; ‘born in a good family’

• dvijaḥ: the twice-born man
• dvijaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• samudvahet: should marry/take in marriage
• samudvahet: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ud-√vah (वह्) (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; parasmaipada

• kanyām: a maiden
• kanyām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kanyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• suśīlām: good-natured
• suśīlām: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: suśīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying kanyām

• dharma-cāriṇīm: practicing righteousness
• dharma-cāriṇīm: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + cāriṇī (प्रातिपदिक; from √car/चर्)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying kanyām; ‘one who practices dharma’

Speaker

Narada (teaching dharma in a normative instructional passage)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

FAQs

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

It frames marriage as a dharmic institution: the ideal spouse is defined not only by appearance but by character and commitment to dharma, supporting a righteous household life.

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

While not explicitly naming bhakti, it supports bhakti indirectly by emphasizing a dharma-aligned household; a spouse devoted to righteous conduct helps sustain sattvic living, vows, worship, and disciplined devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied dharma-niti rather than a specific Vedanga; practically, it aligns with Grihya-style social norms used in household rites (saṃskāras), where character and dharmic fitness are key considerations.