Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 160

Vāmana’s Advent, Aditi’s Hymn, Bali’s Gift, and the Mahatmya of Bhū-dāna

Devanagari script

गत्वा याचितवान्भूमिं पञ्चहस्तायतां बले । सुघोषो धर्मनिरतस्तं निरीक्ष्य कुटुम्बिक्रम् ॥ १६० ॥

Transliteration

gatvā yācitavānbhūmiṃ pañcahastāyatāṃ bale | sughoṣo dharmaniratastaṃ nirīkṣya kuṭumbikram || 160 ||

Translation

Dorthin gegangen, erbat er ein Stück Land von fünf Ellen Länge. Sughoṣa, dem Dharma ergeben, prüfte jenen Haushälter und die Lage seiner Familie.

Word by Word

• gatvā: having gone
• gatvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: √gam (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त), indeclinable; ‘having gone’

• yācitavān: requested
• yācitavān: Karta (कर्ता) (with implied subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yāc (धातु)
• Form: Past active participle (क्तवतु/क्तवत्), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); ‘having requested’

• bhūmim: land
• bhūmim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• pañca-hasta-āyatām: five-hand-length (in extent)
• pañca-hasta-āyatām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of bhūmim
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pañca (प्रातिपदिक) + hasta (प्रातिपदिक) + āyata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with bhūmim; ‘measuring five hands (in length/extent)’

• bale: in Bala (place)
• bale: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); likely place-name ‘in Bala’

• sughoṣaḥ: Sughoṣa
• sughoṣaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sughoṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• dharma-nirataḥ: devoted to dharma
• dharma-nirataḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of sughoṣaḥ
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + nirata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); ‘engaged in dharma’

• tam: him
• tam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• nirīkṣya: having seen
• nirīkṣya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nir-√īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (क्त्वान्त/ल्यप्), indeclinable; ‘having observed’

• kuṭumbikam: householder
• kuṭumbikam: Karma (कर्म) (appositional to tam)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kuṭumbika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Narada (narrating within the dialogue to the Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Sughosa

FAQs

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

It highlights dharmic discernment: even a small request (a five-cubit plot) should be evaluated with righteousness, considering the seeker’s situation and the householder’s responsibility.

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

Bhakti is expressed through dharma in action—supporting others with integrity and careful judgment; such righteous giving becomes a devotional offering when aligned with sacred duty.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse reflects practical measurement and propriety in gifts—using standard units like hasta (cubit) and emphasizing disciplined conduct, aligning with ritual-order concerns rather than a specific Vedanga doctrine.