Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 29

Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline

Devanagari script

यत्र खं तत्र पवनस्तत्राग्निर्यत्र मारुतः । अमूर्तयस्ते विज्ञेया मूर्तिमंतः शरीरिणः ॥ २९ ॥

Transliteration

yatra khaṃ tatra pavanastatrāgniryatra mārutaḥ | amūrtayaste vijñeyā mūrtimaṃtaḥ śarīriṇaḥ || 29 ||

Translation

Wo Raum ist, dort ist Luft; und wo Luft ist, dort ist Feuer. Diese (feinen Elemente) sind als formlos zu erkennen, während die verkörperten Wesen Gestalt besitzen.

Word by Word

• yatra: where
• yatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/locative marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yatra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb: where)

• kham: space (ether)
• kham: Karta (कर्ता/subject; ‘space’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/locative marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (there)

• pavanaḥ: wind
• pavanaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pavana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/locative marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (there)

• agniḥ: fire
• agniḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: agni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• yatra: where
• yatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/locative marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yatra (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (where)

• mārutaḥ: wind (Marut)
• mārutaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māruta (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• amūrtayaḥ: formless
• amūrtayaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण of te)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: amūrta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन; ते इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• te: they
• te: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• vijñeyāḥ: to be known
• vijñeyāḥ: Kriya (क्रिया/predicative obligation)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vi-jñeya (ज्ञा धातु, यत्-प्रत्यय/कृदन्त)
• Form: भाव्य/विधेय (gerundive/future passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; विधिलिङ्गार्थः—‘should be known’

• mūrtimantaḥ: embodied/with form
• mūrtimantaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण of śarīriṇaḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mūrtimat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; शरीरिणः इति विशेष्यस्य विशेषणम्

• śarīriṇaḥ: embodied beings
• śarīriṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject; apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śarīrin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, बहुवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in Moksha-dharma context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Akasha (Kham)
• Vayu (Maruta/Pavana)
• Agni

FAQs

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

It distinguishes the formless, subtle elements (like space and air) from the formed condition of embodied beings, guiding the seeker toward tattva-viveka (discrimination) essential for moksha.

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

By showing that the body is a formed, dependent product while subtler realities pervade it, the verse supports humility and detachment—qualities that steady the mind for single-pointed Vishnu-bhakti beyond bodily identification.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects a Sankhya-like tattva analysis used in Vedic contemplative teaching: understanding the gradation of elements (ākāśa → vāyu → agni) as a practical framework for meditation and self-inquiry rather than a ritual procedure.