Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 88

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

Devanagari script

तथा तमोभिभूतानां भूतानां नश्यते सुखम् ॥ ८८ ॥

Transliteration

tathā tamobhibhūtānāṃ bhūtānāṃ naśyate sukham || 88 ||

Translation

Ebenso wird bei Wesen, die von Dunkelheit (tamas) überwältigt sind, das Glück zerstört.

Word by Word

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारार्थक-अव्यय (thus/likewise)

• तमः: by darkness
• तमः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; ‘अभिभूत’ इत्यस्य करणम् (by darkness)

• अभिभूतानाम्: of those overpowered
• अभिभूतानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभि + √भू (धातु) + क्त (प्रत्यय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; क्त-कृदन्त (overpowered)

• भूतानाम्: of beings
• भूतानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; ‘अभिभूतानाम्’ इत्यस्य विशेष्य (beings)

• नश्यते: perishes, disappears
• नश्यते: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √नश् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• सुखम्: happiness
• सुखम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

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

It states a core Moksha-Dharma principle: when consciousness is dominated by tamas (ignorance, inertia, delusion), true sukha cannot remain; spiritual progress requires diminishing tamas and cultivating clarity.

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

Bhakti is a practical means to dispel tamas by turning the mind toward the Divine with remembrance, worship, and disciplined living; as tamas reduces, inner peace and steady happiness become possible.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana, Jyotisha, or Kalpa) is directly taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is ethical-mental discipline—avoiding tamasic habits and cultivating sattvic conduct to protect sukha.