Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 8

योगस्वरूप-धारणा-समाधि-वर्णनम् (केशिध्वजोपदेशः)

Devanagari script

एवमत्यन्तवैशिष्ट्ययुक्तधर्मोपलक्षणम् । यस्य योगः स वै योगी मुमुक्षुरमिधीयते ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

evamatyantavaiśiṣṭyayuktadharmopalakṣaṇam | yasya yogaḥ sa vai yogī mumukṣuramidhīyate || 8 ||

Translation

So ist das Kennzeichen dessen, dessen Dharma mit höchster Vorzüglichkeit begabt ist, dies: In wem Yoga gegenwärtig ist, der wird wahrhaft Yogin genannt—ein Mumukṣu, der nach Befreiung verlangt.

Word by Word

• एवम्: thus/in this way
• एवम्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb of manner)

• अत्यन्तवैशिष्ट्ययुक्तधर्मोपलक्षणम्: characterized by dharma endowed with extreme distinctiveness
• अत्यन्तवैशिष्ट्ययुक्तधर्मोपलक्षणम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अत्यन्त + वैशिष्ट्य + युक्त + धर्म + उपलक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुष-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; here as predicate/qualifier: ‘having the mark of dharma endowed with extreme distinctiveness’

• यस्य: whose
• यस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन; सम्बन्धक (relative)

• योगः: yoga
• योगः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तद्-प्रत्यय (correlative)

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चयार्थक/अवधारण (emphatic particle)

• योगी: a yogin
• योगी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मुमुक्षुः: one who seeks liberation
• मुमुक्षुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुच् (धातु) + सन् (इच्छार्थ) → मुमुक्षु (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; इच्छार्थक-नाम (desiderative noun): ‘one desiring liberation’

• अभिधीयते: is called
• अभिधीयते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-धा (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोग (passive sense): ‘is called’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-dharma dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

FAQs

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

It states that the true hallmark of elevated dharma is the lived presence of Yoga; such a person is recognized as a yogin and specifically as a mumukṣu—one oriented toward liberation.

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

While it does not name bhakti explicitly, it aligns with the Narada Purana’s view that genuine spiritual life is measured by inner transformation; bhakti becomes authentic when it matures into steadfast yoga (single-pointed union with the Divine) leading to moksha.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is ethical-spiritual discernment—identifying a true practitioner by yogic integration rather than by external markers.