Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56

Anūcāna (True Learning), the Vedāṅgas, and Śikṣā: Svara, Sāmavedic Chant, and Gandharva Theory

Devanagari script

अंतरस्वरसंयुक्तः काकलिर्यत्र दृश्यते । तं तु साधारितं विद्यात्पंचमस्थं तु कैशिकम् ॥ ५५ ॥

Transliteration

aṃtarasvarasaṃyuktaḥ kākaliryatra dṛśyate | taṃ tu sādhāritaṃ vidyātpaṃcamasthaṃ tu kaiśikam || 55 ||

Translation

Wo der Kākali-Ton zusammen mit einem dazwischenliegenden (inneren) Ton vernommen wird, ist dies als Sādhārita (Variante) zu verstehen. Und wenn er auf dem fünften Ton steht, heißt er Kaiśika.

Word by Word

• aṃtarasvara-saṃyuktaḥ: combined with an intermediate tone
• aṃtarasvara-saṃyuktaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण of kākaliḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aṃtara-svara (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃyukta (कृदन्त; √yuj/युज् with sam-)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अंतरस्वरेण संयुक्तः = joined with intermediate tone)

• kākaliḥ: Kākalī (note/name)
• kākaliḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kākali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• yatra: where
• yatra: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yatra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक/सापेक्ष (where)

• dṛśyate: is seen/appears
• dṛśyate: Kriya (क्रिया/predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dṛś (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), कर्मणि-प्रयोग (Passive), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• tam: that (one)
• tam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• tu: indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विशेषार्थक (particle)

• sādhāritam: Sādhārita (name/designation)
• sādhāritam: Karma (कर्म; object-complement with tam)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sādhārita (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-रूप)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; संज्ञा-रूपेण (as a technical designation)

• vidyāt: should know
• vidyāt: Kriya (क्रिया/predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vid (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• paṃcama-stham: situated on the fifth (note)
• paṃcama-stham: Visheshana (विशेषण of kaiśikam)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paṃcama (प्रातिपदिक) + stha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (पंचमे स्थितम् = situated on the fifth)

• tu: and/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विशेषार्थक

• kaiśikam: Kaiśika (name)
• kaiśikam: Karma (कर्म; object of vidyāt)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaiśika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; संज्ञा (proper/technical name)

Speaker

Narada (teaching technical Shiksha/svara science to the Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that precise intonation (svara) is part of dharma: mantra power and clarity of meaning depend on correct tonal knowledge taught in Vedanga-Śikṣā.

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

Bhakti is supported by right practice: when hymns and mantras are sung/recited with correct swaras, devotion becomes disciplined and the offering (stuti/japa) is considered properly formed.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vedanga-Śikṣā: it gives a technical rule for identifying and naming tonal variants (kākali as sādhārita; and kaiśika when positioned on pañcama), useful for accurate chanting and musical-phonetic tradition.