Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54

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

Devanagari script

समालिंग्य सुतं व्यासः स्वपार्श्वस्थं चकार च ॥ ५४ ॥

Transliteration

samāliṃgya sutaṃ vyāsaḥ svapārśvasthaṃ cakāra ca || 54 ||

Translation

Seinen Sohn umarmend, setzte Vyāsa ihn dicht an seine eigene Seite.

Word by Word

• सम्-आलिङ्ग्य: having embraced
• सम्-आलिङ्ग्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आलिङ्ग् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund), from √आलिङ्ग् with उपसर्ग सम्; ‘having embraced’

• सुतम्: son
• सुतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• व्यासः: Vyāsa
• व्यासः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यास (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• स्व-पार्श्व-स्थम्: (to be) at his own side
• स्व-पार्श्व-स्थम्: Karma-pravṛtti/Phala (कर्मप्रवृत्ति/फल)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + पार्श्व (प्रातिपदिक) + स्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘at one’s own side’; Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); used predicatively with object ‘sutaṃ’

• चकार: made/placed
• चकार: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

Speaker

Narrator (Suta) describing the event within the Purana’s dialogue frame

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vyasa
• Son of Vyasa

FAQs

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

It highlights the intimate guru–disciple/parent–child closeness that supports transmission of dharma and higher knowledge—teaching that spiritual instruction is grounded in compassion and personal guidance.

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

Though not explicitly naming bhakti, the gesture of affectionate embrace models the devotional mood (anugraha and intimacy) that later becomes central in Vishnu-bhakti: nearness to the revered teacher and receptivity to grace.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Śikṣā) is taught in this line; it functions as narrative context showing the setting for instruction rather than a technical rule or ritual detail.