Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 75

Threefold Suffering, Twofold Knowledge, and the Definition of Bhagavān (Vāsudeva); Prelude to Keśidhvaja–Janaka Yoga

Devanagari script

स्वल्पकालं महीराज्यं मादृशैः प्रार्थ्यते कथम् । एतमेतद्भंवतोऽत्र स्वार्थ साधनमंत्रिणः ॥ ७३ ॥

Transliteration

svalpakālaṃ mahīrājyaṃ mādṛśaiḥ prārthyate katham | etametadbhaṃvato'tra svārtha sādhanamaṃtriṇaḥ || 73 ||

Translation

„Wie könnten Menschen wie wir nach einer so kurzlebigen Herrschaft über die Erde verlangen? Genau dies – ihr Minister, die ihr euren eigenen Vorteil sucht – wollt ihr hier erreichen.“

Word by Word

• स्वल्प-कालम्: for a short time
• स्वल्प-कालम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वल्प (प्रातिपदिक) + काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; Accusative of extent/duration (कालाधिकरण)

• मही-राज्यम्: the earthly kingdom
• मही-राज्यम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही (प्रातिपदिक) + राज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; here passive-subject (प्रथमा)

• मादृशैः: by people like me
• मादृशैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मादृश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; Instrumental plural ‘by people like me/us’

• प्रार्थ्यते: is requested
• प्रार्थ्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-अर्थ् (धातु)
• Form: लट्, कर्मणि (Passive), तृतीयपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘is requested’

• कथम्: how?
• कथम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: कथम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; interrogative adverb

• एतम्: this
• एतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; Accusative

• एतत्: this (indeed)
• एतत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; deictic ‘this (matter)’

• भवतः: of you / your
• भवतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; Genitive ‘of you/your’ (honorific)

• अत्र: here
• अत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; adverb of place

• स्वार्थ-साधन-मन्त्रिणः: self-interested ministers
• स्वार्थ-साधन-मन्त्रिणः: Sambodhana/Addressed (सम्बोधनार्थ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वार्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + साधन (प्रातिपदिक) + मन्त्रिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; Nominative plural; ‘ministers who accomplish their own ends’

Speaker

A righteous speaker addressing self-interested ministers (dialogue context within Narada Purana Moksha Dharma section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: raudra

FAQs

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

It highlights vairāgya (dispassion) by stressing that earthly power is temporary and unworthy of pursuit for one aiming at higher dharma and liberation.

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

By devaluing fleeting political power, it implicitly redirects the seeker toward lasting refuge—steadfast devotion and spiritual purpose rather than status-driven ambition.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught directly; the verse is primarily a nīti-dharma critique of self-serving counsel and attachment to impermanent rule.