Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 38

The Description of the Glory of the Purāṇa

Purāṇa-Māhātmya

Devanagari script

वाचकं पूजयेद्भक्त्या धनरत्नांशुकादिभिः । भूमिदानैर्गवां दानै रत्नदानैश्च संततम् ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

vācakaṃ pūjayedbhaktyā dhanaratnāṃśukādibhiḥ | bhūmidānairgavāṃ dānai ratnadānaiśca saṃtatam || 38 ||

Translation

In hingebungsvoller Bhakti soll man den Rezitator/Erklärer mit Reichtum, Juwelen, Gewändern und dergleichen ehren; und beständig auch durch Landspenden, Kuhspenden und Spenden kostbarer Edelsteine.

Word by Word

• vācakam: the reciter/expounder
• vācakam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vācaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• pūjayet: should worship/honor
• pūjayet: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pūj (धातु)
• Form: लोट्/विधिलिङ् (optative/imperative sense), प्रथम-पुरुष? actually मध्यम-पुरुष implied; परस्मैपद, एकवचन; causative? no

• bhaktyā: with devotion
• bhaktyā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhakti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन

• dhana-ratna-aṃśuka-ādibhiḥ: with wealth, jewels, garments, etc.
• dhana-ratna-aṃśuka-ādibhiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhana (प्रातिपदिक) + ratna (प्रातिपदिक) + aṃśuka (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार/आदि-समास), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन; ‘…आदि’ = etc.

• bhūmi-dānaiḥ: with gifts of land
• bhūmi-dānaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi (प्रातिपदिक) + dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• gavām: of cows
• gavām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: go (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (गो-शब्द), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन

• dānaiḥ: with gifts
• dānaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन

• ratna-dānaiḥ: with gifts of jewels
• ratna-dānaiḥ: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ratna (प्रातिपदिक) + dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), बहुवचन

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

• saṃtatam: constantly
• saṃtatam: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saṃtata (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाववत्)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण-अव्यय (adverb)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada, instructing the proper conduct for Purana recitation and its rewards)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It teaches that honoring the vācaka (the one who transmits sacred Purāṇic knowledge) is itself a devotional act, where generosity (dāna) becomes a concrete expression of reverence for dharma and śāstra.

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

Bhakti here is not only inner faith but also outward seva—supporting the reciter with sincere offerings like cloth, wealth, and prescribed gifts, thereby sustaining the transmission of sacred narration.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse mainly highlights ritual practice (dāna-vidhi and satkāra of the vācaka) rather than a specific Vedāṅga; it reflects applied dharma—how a listener should conduct themselves during Purāṇa-pāṭha.