Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24

The Description of the Index (Anukramaṇikā) of the Padma Purāṇa

Devanagari script

शिवशंभुसमायोगी दधीचाख्यानकं ततः । भस्ममाहात्म्यमतुलं शिवमाहात्म्यमुत्तमम् ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

śivaśaṃbhusamāyogī dadhīcākhyānakaṃ tataḥ | bhasmamāhātmyamatulaṃ śivamāhātmyamuttamam || 24 ||

Translation

Dann (der Text) schildert die heilige Vereinigung mit Śiva—Śaṃbhu; darauf folgt die Erzählung von Dadhīci; die unvergleichliche Größe des bhasma, der heiligen Asche; und die höchste Herrlichkeit des Herrn Śiva.

Word by Word

• शिव-शम्भु-समायोगी: (the section on) union/association with Śiva and Śambhu
• शिव-शम्भु-समायोगी: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्यवाचक सूची-आइटम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक) + समायोगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्वः: ‘शिवश्च शम्भुश्च’ (समाहार/समुच्चय) + तत्पुरुषः: ‘(शिवशम्भुभ्यां) समायोगी’ = ‘शिव-शम्भु-सम्बन्धयुक्तः’

• दधीच-आख्यानकम्: the tale of Dadhīci
• दधीच-आख्यानकम्: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्यवाचक सूची-आइटम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दधीच (प्रातिपदिक) + आख्यानक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ‘दधीचस्य आख्यानकम्’

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Desha-Kala (देश-काल/temporal adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रमवाचक (adverb: ‘thereafter’)

• भस्म-माहात्म्यम्: the glory of sacred ash
• भस्म-माहात्म्यम्: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्यवाचक सूची-आइटम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भस्मन्/भस्म (प्रातिपदिक) + माहात्म्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ‘भस्मनः माहात्म्यम्’

• अतुलम्: incomparable
• अतुलम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying ‘माहात्म्यम्’)

• शिव-माहात्म्यम्: the glory of Śiva
• शिव-माहात्म्यम्: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्यवाचक सूची-आइटम)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिव (प्रातिपदिक) + माहात्म्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ‘शिवस्य माहात्म्यम्’

• उत्तमम्: supreme, excellent
• उत्तमम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifying ‘शिवमाहात्म्यम्’)

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue-format summary to the Sanatkumara brothers)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Shambhu
• Dadhici
• Bhasma

FAQs

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

This verse functions as an anukramaṇikā (topic-index) line, indicating that the chapter proceeds through Śiva-related themes—communion with Śiva, the exemplar tale of Dadhīci, and the sanctity of bhasma—culminating in the highest praise of Śiva as a means of purification and devotion.

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

By foregrounding Śiva-māhātmya and bhasma-māhātmya, the verse points to bhakti expressed through remembrance (glorification) and embodied practice (Śiva-upāsanā and sacred markings), where reverence for Śiva and His symbols becomes a direct devotional discipline.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; instead, it highlights ritual-practice knowledge typical of Purāṇic dharma—especially the religious use and meaning of bhasma in Śaiva observance.