Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 181

The Description of the Skanda Purāṇa’s Anukramaṇī

Index/Summary

Devanagari script

सूर्यप्राची त्रीक्षणयोरुमानातकथा तथा । भूद्धारशूलस्थलयोश्च्यवनार्केशयोस्तथा ॥ १८१ ॥

Transliteration

sūryaprācī trīkṣaṇayorumānātakathā tathā | bhūddhāraśūlasthalayoścyavanārkeśayostathā || 181 ||

Translation

Ferner wird Sūryaprācī geschildert; die Erzählung von Umā und dem Dreiäugigen Herrn; ebenso die heiligen Überlieferungen von Bhūddhāra und Śūlasthala sowie von Cyavana und Arkeśa.

Word by Word

• सूर्यप्राची: Sūryaprācī (a named sacred place/stream)
• सूर्यप्राची: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा-विषयः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + प्राची (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (प्राची इति विशेषणं सूर्य-सम्बद्धा)

• त्रीक्षणयोः: of the two (called) Trīkṣaṇa
• त्रीक्षणयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्रीक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (नामरूपेण), षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), द्विवचन; सम्बन्धः (genitive dual)

• उमानाता-कथा: the account of Umānātā
• उमानाता-कथा: Karta (कर्ता/प्रथमा-विषयः)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उमानाता (प्रातिपदिक) + कथा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (उमानातायाः कथा)

• तथा: also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थकः (also)

• भूद्धार-शूलस्थलयोः: of Bhūddhāra and Śūlasthala
• भूद्धार-शूलस्थलयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूद्धार (प्रातिपदिक) + शूलस्थल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), द्विवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्वः (भूद्धारश्च शूलस्थलश्च)

• च्यवन-अर्केशयोः: of Cyavana and Arkeśa
• च्यवन-अर्केशयोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: च्यवन (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्केश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), द्विवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्वः (च्यवनश्च अर्केशश्च)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थकः (likewise)

Speaker

Suta (narrating an anukramanika-style catalogue of topics within the Purana)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Umā (Pārvatī)
• Śiva (Trinetra/Three-eyed)
• Cyavana
• Sūrya (implied via Arkeśa/Sūryaprācī)

FAQs

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

This verse functions as an anukramanika (index): it signals that the Purana preserves multiple sacred narratives and tirtha-linked topics—reminding the reader that pilgrimage, remembrance of divine stories, and reverence for sages are integrated means of dharma and purification.

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

By pointing to celebrated kathās of Śiva–Umā and revered figures like Cyavana, it frames bhakti as sustained śravaṇa (hearing) and smaraṇa (remembrance) of divine-lila and saintly lives—devotion nourished through Purāṇic narration and sacred geography.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Indirectly, it reflects Purāṇic anukramaṇī methodology—systematic cataloguing and transmission of topics—supporting disciplined study (adhyayana) and accurate textual navigation, a practical scholastic aid aligned with traditional learning frameworks.