Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 67

Pāpa-bheda, Naraka-yātanā, Mahāpātaka-vicāra, Atonement Limits, Daśa-vidhā Bhakti, and Gaṅgā as Final Remedy

Devanagari script

कर्मणा तत्र पच्यन्ते नरकान्गिषु सन्ततम् ॥ ६७ ॥

Transliteration

karmaṇā tatra pacyante narakāngiṣu santatam || 67 ||

Translation

Dort werden sie aufgrund ihrer eigenen Taten unablässig in den Feuern der Höllenreiche versengt.

Word by Word

• karmaṇā: by (their) karma/deeds
• karmaṇā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• tatra: there
• tatra: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb of place (देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण)

• pacyante: are cooked/tormented
• pacyante: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pac (पच् धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (लट्, Present), Prathama-puruṣa (3rd person/प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन); Ātmanepada, passive sense (कर्मणि प्रयोग)

• naraka-agniṣu: in the fires of hell
• naraka-agniṣu: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: naraka (प्रातिपदिक) + agni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Plural (बहुवचन); समासः—तत्पुरुष: 'narakasya agnayaḥ'

• santatam: continually
• santatam: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: santata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya usage (क्रियाविशेषणवत्), adverb meaning 'continuously'

Speaker

Sanatkumara

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It stresses karma-phala: suffering in naraka is not arbitrary but the direct maturation of one’s own actions, urging moral restraint and dharmic living.

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

By highlighting the danger of karmic bondage and painful consequences, it indirectly motivates turning toward Vishnu-bhakti and righteous conduct as safeguards that purify karma and reorient life toward liberation.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The practical takeaway is dharma-nīti (ethical discipline) grounded in karma theory; while no specific Vedanga is named, the verse supports smārta conduct and ritual-moral accountability central to śāstra-based life.