Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 7

Nityā-paṭala-prakaraṇa

The Exposition of the Nityā-paṭala

Devanagari script

देव्यात्मकं समुदयं विश्रांतिं च शिवात्मकम् । उभयात्मकमप्यात्मस्वरूपं तैश्च भावयेत् ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

devyātmakaṃ samudayaṃ viśrāṃtiṃ ca śivātmakam | ubhayātmakamapyātmasvarūpaṃ taiśca bhāvayet || 7 ||

Translation

Man soll das Aufsteigen, das schöpferische Hervortreten, als von der Natur der Göttin (Devī) betrachten und die Ruhe —Auflösung und Frieden— als von der Natur Śivas; und man soll auch das Wesen des Selbst (Ātman) als beides zugleich tragend betrachten.

Word by Word

• देव्यात्मकम्: consisting of the Goddess
• देव्यात्मकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: देवी + आत्मक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular; तत्पुरुषः (देव्याः आत्मकः = consisting of the Goddess)

• समुदयम्: arising/aggregate; emergence
• समुदयम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समुदय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• विश्रान्तिम्: rest; repose
• विश्रान्तिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्रान्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय; conjunction

• शिवात्मकम्: consisting of Śiva
• शिवात्मकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शिव + आत्मक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular; तत्पुरुषः (शिवस्य आत्मकः = consisting of Śiva)

• उभयात्मकम्: of both natures
• उभयात्मकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उभय + आत्मक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular; तत्पुरुषः (उभयस्य आत्मकः = of both natures)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle) = ‘also/even’

• आत्मस्वरूपम्: the essential nature of the Self
• आत्मस्वरूपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आत्मन् + स्वरूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular; तत्पुरुषः (आत्मनः स्वरूपम् = the essential nature of the Self)

• तैः: by/with those
• तैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन; Instrumental plural (by/with those)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय; conjunction

• भावयेत्: should contemplate/meditate upon
• भावयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु) caus. √भावय्
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; causative: should contemplate/bring into being (meditate upon)

Speaker

Sanatkumāra (teaching to Nārada in a guru–disciple dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Devī
• Śiva
• Ātman

FAQs

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

It frames all experience in two complementary movements—arising and repose—and instructs the meditator to recognize both as expressions of the one Ātman, seen through the Śakti (Devī) and Śiva principles.

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

It supports an inner form of devotion where the devotee reveres Devī in the dynamic unfolding of life and Śiva in stillness and peace, culminating in devotion to the Self as the unity of both—turning worship into continuous remembrance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse highlights dhyāna-bhāvanā (disciplined contemplation) using precise technical distinctions (udaya/samudaya and viśrānti), aligning with the Narada Purana’s Book 1.3 emphasis on structured spiritual practice and terminology used in śāstric instruction.