Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 108

Sanatkumāra’s Bhāgavata Tantra: Tattvas, Māyā-Bonds, Embodiment, and the Necessity of Dīkṣā

Devanagari script

दीक्षाज्ञानाख्यया शक्त्या ह्यपध्वंसितबन्धनः । शुद्धात्मतत्त्वनामासौ निर्वाणपदमश्नुते ॥ १०८ ॥

Transliteration

dīkṣājñānākhyayā śaktyā hyapadhvaṃsitabandhanaḥ | śuddhātmatattvanāmāsau nirvāṇapadamaśnute || 108 ||

Translation

Durch die Kraft, die dīkṣā-jñāna (Einweihungswissen) genannt wird, werden seine Fesseln völlig vernichtet; im reinen Wesen des Selbst gegründet, erlangt er den Zustand des nirvāṇa.

Word by Word

• दीक्षाज्ञानाख्यया: by (that) called initiation-knowledge
• दीक्षाज्ञानाख्यया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीक्षा + ज्ञान + आख्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; ‘दीक्षाज्ञान’ इति नाम्ना आख्यया (instrumental: ‘by the power called initiation-knowledge’)

• शक्त्या: by power
• शक्त्या: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; करण

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis/reason)

• अपध्वंसितबन्धनः: whose bondage is destroyed
• अपध्वंसितबन्धनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अप-ध्वंसित (कृदन्त; ध्वंस् धातु, क्त) + बन्धन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; तत्पुरुषः (अपध्वंसितं बन्धनं यस्य)

• शुद्धात्मतत्त्वनामा: named ‘pure self-reality’
• शुद्धात्मतत्त्वनामा: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुद्ध + आत्मन् + तत्त्व + नामन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; बहुव्रीहिः (शुद्धात्मतत्त्वं नाम यस्य = one named ‘pure-self-reality’)

• असौ: that person
• असौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: असद्/अदस् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; निर्देश (demonstrative)

• निर्वाणपदम्: the state/abode of nirvana
• निर्वाणपदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्वाण + पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; कर्म (object)

• अश्नुते: attains
• अश्नुते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अश् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकारः (Present), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम्; आत्मनेपदम्; ‘प्राप्नोति/भुङ्क्ते’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha/Vedanga context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It states that true initiation is not merely ceremonial—when it becomes ‘dīkṣā-jñāna’ (initiation as liberating knowledge), it destroys bondage and culminates in nirvāṇa through realization of the pure Self.

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

While the verse speaks in the language of jñāna, it supports the Purāṇic view that authentic spiritual transmission (often received in a devotional lineage) purifies the seeker and removes bondage, enabling the final liberation that bhakti aims toward.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The focus is not on a specific Vedāṅga technique (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) but on the inner purpose behind ritual and initiation: transforming practice into liberating knowledge that cuts bondage.