Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 99

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

Devanagari script

अनन्यातिशयाधारः परं निर्वाणमृच्छति । निर्वाणमय एवायमात्मा ज्ञानमयोऽमलः ॥ ९७ ॥

Transliteration

ananyātiśayādhāraḥ paraṃ nirvāṇamṛcchati | nirvāṇamaya evāyamātmā jñānamayo'malaḥ || 97 ||

Translation

Wessen Stütze niemand anderes ist als das Höchste, der erlangt das höchste Nirvāṇa. Dieses Selbst (Ātman) ist von nirvāṇischer Natur: rein, makellos und aus Bewusstsein-Erkenntnis gewoben.

Word by Word

• अनन्य-अतिशय-आधारः: the support of unsurpassed excellence
• अनन्य-अतिशय-आधारः: कर्ता (कर्तृ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनन्य + अतिशय + आधार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (अनन्यस्य अतिशयस्य आधारः / अनन्यातिशयस्य आधारः)

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: कर्म-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘निर्वाणम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• निर्वाणम्: nirvana/liberation
• निर्वाणम्: कर्म (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्वाण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ऋच्छति: attains
• ऋच्छति: क्रिया (आख्यात)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ऋच्छ्/ऋ (धातु)
• Form: लट्, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• निर्वाण-मयः: made of nirvana
• निर्वाण-मयः: विशेषण (आत्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्वाण + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (निर्वाणेन मयः = consisting of nirvana)

• एव: indeed
• एव: सम्बन्ध-निरूपक (emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक-अव्यय (particle of emphasis)

• अयम्: this
• अयम्: कर्ता/उद्देश्य (subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• आत्मा: Self
• आत्मा: कर्ता (कर्तृ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ज्ञान-मयः: made of knowledge
• ज्ञान-मयः: विशेषण (आत्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञान + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (ज्ञानमयः = consisting of knowledge)

• अमलः: stainless/pure
• अमलः: विशेषण (आत्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अमल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘आत्मा’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-Dharma dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Atman
• Nirvana

FAQs

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

It states that liberation (parama-nirvāṇa) comes from taking the Supreme alone as one’s refuge and recognizing the Self as inherently pure consciousness, not a material or egoic identity.

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

By emphasizing ananya-ādhāra—exclusive dependence on the Supreme—it aligns with one-pointed devotion, where surrender and single-minded orientation to the Highest culminate in liberation.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is contemplative discernment (ātma-vicāra) and steady single-refuge practice rather than ritual or technical instruction.