Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 2

Janaka Instructs Śuka: Āśrama-Sequence, Guru-Dependence, and Marks of Liberation

Devanagari script

शिरसा चार्ध्यमादाय गुरुपुत्रं समभ्यगात् । महदासनमादाय सर्वरत्नतम् ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

śirasā cārdhyamādāya guruputraṃ samabhyagāt | mahadāsanamādāya sarvaratnatam || 2 ||

Translation

Das Arghya, die ehrerbietige Gabe, auf dem Haupt tragend, trat er zum Sohn des Lehrers; und er nahm einen großen Sitz—überaus erlesen, mit allen Edelsteinen geschmückt—(und überreichte ihn).

Word by Word

• शिरसा: with (his) head; bowing
• शिरसा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; instrumental singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (and)

• अर्घ्यम्: arghya-offering (honorary water)
• अर्घ्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्घ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; accusative singular

• आदाय: having taken
• आदाय: Pūrvakāla (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ+दा (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त-अव्यय (gerund); ‘having taken’

• गुरुपुत्रम्: the teacher’s son
• गुरुपुत्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु+पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी: ‘गुरोः पुत्रः’) accusative singular

• समभ्यगात्: approached/went up to
• समभ्यगात्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+अभि+गम् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• महत्: great
• महत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; accusative singular (qualifying आसनम्)

• आसनम्: seat
• आसनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; accusative singular

• आदाय: having taken
• आदाय: Pūrvakāla (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ+दा (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त-अव्यय (gerund); ‘having taken’

• सर्वरत्नतम्: most precious (gem-like)/best of all jewels
• सर्वरत्नतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व+रत्न+तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (समाहार/निर्धारण: ‘रत्नेषु सर्वेषु तमम्’ = most excellent among all gems) accusative singular (qualifying आसनम्, understood)

Speaker

Narada (narration within the Moksha-dharma discourse)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Characters & Entities

• Guruputra

FAQs

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

It highlights ācāra (right conduct): humility and reverence shown through arghya and offering a seat, portraying service to the guru’s line as a purifier supportive of mokṣa-oriented living.

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

Bhakti is expressed as respectful service (seva) and honoring sacred relationships; approaching with arghya and āsana reflects surrender and reverence, foundational devotional attitudes.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa-style ritual etiquette—formal procedures for reception (arghya, āsana) that align with dharmic conduct and traditional rites of honoring worthy persons.