Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 4

Varṇāśrama-ācāra: Common Virtues, Varṇa Duties, and the Four Āśramas

Devanagari script

एतत्सर्वं महाभाग सर्वतत्त्वार्थकोविद । कृपया परया मह्यं यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

etatsarvaṃ mahābhāga sarvatattvārthakovida | kṛpayā parayā mahyaṃ yathāvadvaktumarhasi || 4 ||

Translation

O Erhabener, der du die Bedeutung aller Grundprinzipien kennst: Aus höchstem Mitgefühl mögest du mir dies alles rechtmäßig und der Reihenfolge nach erklären.

Word by Word

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एतद् (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम-शब्द; विशेषण (demonstrative)

• सर्वम्: all
• सर्वम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• महाभाग: O fortunate one
• महाभाग: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाभाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन; समासः महा+भाग (कर्मधारय)

• सर्वतत्त्वार्थकोविद: O knower of the meanings of all principles
• सर्वतत्त्वार्थकोविद: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-तत्त्व-अर्थ-कोविद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन; समासः (तत्पुरुष-श्रृंखला) ‘सर्वेषां तत्त्वानां अर्थेषु कोविदः’

• कृपया: by compassion
• कृपया: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृपा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• परया: supreme, great
• परया: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; विशेषण (कृपया इति विशेष्य)

• मह्यम्: to me
• मह्यम्: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान/Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: उभयलिङ्ग (सर्वनाम), चतुर्थी (4th/Dative), एकवचन

• यथावत्: properly, as it is
• यथावत्: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथावत् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• वक्तुम्: to speak
• वक्तुम्: Karma (कर्म/Object of ‘अर्हसि’)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त (Infinitive), ‘वच्’ धातोः; कर्मप्रवचनीय-भावः (to speak)

• अर्हसि: you are worthy/please (do)
• अर्हसि: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अर्ह् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It models the ideal disciple’s approach: humility, recognition of the teacher’s tattva-knowledge, and a request for a correct, orderly (yathāvat) exposition—essential for reliable dharma and moksha teaching.

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

By emphasizing “supreme compassion” and proper instruction, it sets the bhakti framework of surrender and earnest inquiry, where guidance is received through the guru’s grace rather than mere argument.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse stresses yathāvat (methodical correctness), aligning with Vedanga-style discipline—clear, ordered teaching that supports accurate understanding and application of śāstra.