Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

Kalpa-Lakṣaṇa and Gṛhya-Kalpa: Classifications, Purifications, Implements, and Spatial Rite-Design

Devanagari script

कृत्वा प्रोक्तानि कर्माणि तदूर्द्ध्वानि करोति यः । सोऽथ शब्दं प्रयुञ्जीत तदानन्त्यार्थमिष्यते ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

kṛtvā proktāni karmāṇi tadūrddhvāni karoti yaḥ | so'tha śabdaṃ prayuñjīta tadānantyārthamiṣyate || 11 ||

Translation

Nachdem man zuerst die gelehrten, vorgeschriebenen Handlungen vollzogen hat und dann zu höheren Übungen fortschreitet, soll man daraufhin das heilige Wort, Śabda (śabda), gebrauchen; denn es ist dazu bestimmt, zum Unendlichen (ananta) zu führen.

Word by Word

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Kriya (क्रिया; पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive/gerund), ‘having done’

• प्रोक्तानि: prescribed/uttered
• प्रोक्तानि: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-वच् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; कर्माणि इति विशेषण

• कर्माणि: rites/actions
• कर्माणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• तत्: those
• तत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम-विशेषण

• ऊर्द्ध्वानि: subsequent/afterwards (higher)
• ऊर्द्ध्वानि: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऊर्द्ध्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• करोति: does/performs
• करोति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक-सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; निर्देश-सर्वनाम (correlative)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (then)

• शब्दम्: the word/sound
• शब्दम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• प्रयुञ्जीत: should employ/utter
• प्रयुञ्जीत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-युज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• तदा: then
• तदा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (at that time/then)

• अनन्त्य: of endlessness/infinitude
• अनन्त्य: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनन्त्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; अर्थ इति सम्बन्ध

• अर्थम्: meaning/purpose
• अर्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• इष्यते: is accepted/is intended
• इष्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; भावे/कर्मणि-प्रयोगः (is considered/accepted)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It outlines a graded path: after completing prescribed karmas, one should take up higher practice centered on śabda (sacred sound), because śabda is presented as a means oriented toward realizing the Infinite.

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

By emphasizing śabda as a spiritual tool, the verse supports bhakti practices like nāma-japa and mantra—using sacred sound after purification through dharma-karmas, so the mind can rest in the limitless reality.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Śabda points to the discipline of Vyākaraṇa (grammar) and correct mantra-usage—proper application of sacred sound after due ritual preparation, aligning speech and meaning toward a liberating aim.