Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3

The Exposition of Spiritual Knowledge

Jñāna-pradarśanam

Devanagari script

तीर्थस्नानैर्विशुद्धा ये व्रतदानतपोमखैः । यजन्ति कर्मयोगेन सर्वधातारमच्युतम् ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

tīrthasnānairviśuddhā ye vratadānatapomakhaiḥ | yajanti karmayogena sarvadhātāramacyutam || 3 ||

Translation

Wer durch Bad in heiligen Tīrthas, durch Gelübde, Spenden, Askese und Opferhandlungen gereinigt ist, verehrt Acyuta, den Unvergänglichen Herrn, der alle Wesen trägt, durch die Disziplin des Karma‑Yoga.

Word by Word

• तीर्थस्नानैः: by/with holy-bathings (baths at pilgrim places)
• तीर्थस्नानैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ-स्नान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (तीर्थे स्नानम्)

• विशुद्धाः: purified
• विशुद्धाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विशुद्ध (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √शुध् (धातु) + वि- उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण (past passive participle)

• ये: who (those who)
• ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; सम्बन्धसूचक सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• व्रतदानतपोमखैः: by vows, gifts, austerities, and sacrifices
• व्रतदानतपोमखैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत-दान-तपस्-मख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (व्रतं च दानं च तपश्च मखाश्च)

• यजन्ति: they worship/sacrifice
• यजन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √यज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• कर्मयोगेन: by the discipline of action (karma-yoga)
• कर्मयोगेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्म-योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (कर्मणः योगः)

• सर्वधातारम्: the sustainer of all
• सर्वधातारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व-धातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (सर्वः धाता)

• अच्युतम्: Achyuta (the infallible Lord)
• अच्युतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अच्युत (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √च्युत्/√च्यु (धातु) + अ- नञ्, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त नाम (epithet)

Speaker

Narada (teaching within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Acyuta

FAQs

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

It links external disciplines—tīrtha-bathing, vows, charity, austerity, and sacrifice—to inner purification, culminating in worship of Vishnu (Acyuta) through Karma-yoga, where actions become offerings rather than ego-driven deeds.

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

Bhakti is expressed here as worship (yajanti) directed to Acyuta; the verse frames devotional worship as compatible with ritual and ethical life when performed as Karma-yoga—actions dedicated to the Lord, the sustainer of all.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes practical ritual discipline (yajña/makha and vrata observance), implying correct application of Kalpa (ritual procedure) as part of consecrated action leading toward purification and God-centered worship.