Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 117

Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy

Transition to Vedānta Inquiry

Devanagari script

नारद उवाच । भगवन्सर्वशास्त्रज्ञ स्वयातिकरुणात्मना । प्रकाशितं जगज्ज्योतिः परं ब्रह्म सनातनम् ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

nārada uvāca | bhagavansarvaśāstrajña svayātikaruṇātmanā | prakāśitaṃ jagajjyotiḥ paraṃ brahma sanātanam || 17 ||

Translation

Nārada sprach: O Erhabener, Kenner aller Śāstras; aus deiner eigenen, höchst mitfühlenden Natur hast du das Licht des Universums offenbart: das ewige, höchste Brahman.

Word by Word

• नारदः: Nārada
• नारदः: Karta (कर्ता/वक्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• भगवन्: O Lord
• भगवन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, संबोधन-एकवचन (Vocative singular)

• सर्वशास्त्रज्ञ: knower of all scriptures
• सर्वशास्त्रज्ञ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + शास्त्र + ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, संबोधन-एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (determinative: ‘knower of all śāstras’)

• स्वयाति-करुण-आत्मना: by (your) self-impelled compassionate nature
• स्वयाति-करुण-आत्मना: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वयाति + करुण + आत्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (having a nature of self-moving compassion / compassionate by one’s own impulse)

• प्रकाशितम्: has been revealed
• प्रकाशितम्: Kriyā (क्रिया/भाव)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-काश् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• जगत्-ज्योतिः: the light of the world
• जगत्-ज्योतिः: Karta (कर्ता/वर्ण्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् + ज्योतिस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (‘light of the world’)

• परम्: supreme
• परम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• ब्रह्म: Brahman
• ब्रह्म: Karta (कर्ता/वर्ण्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• सनातनम्: eternal
• सनातनम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सनातन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Brahman

FAQs

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

It frames true spiritual instruction as a compassionate revelation of the Supreme Reality—Brahman—described as the “light of the universe,” emphasizing liberation-oriented knowledge (mokṣa-pradhāna jñāna).

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

While the verse is primarily jñāna-toned, it embodies bhakti through reverent address to the enlightened teacher (“bhagavan”) and gratitude for compassionate guidance—devotional humility that supports higher realization.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights śāstra-prāmāṇya (scriptural authority) through the epithet sarvaśāstrajña—implying mastery of Vedic disciplines (including Vedāṅgas like vyākaraṇa and śikṣā) as the foundation for clear teaching.