Shloka 42

Devanagari script

न तां गतिं सुरा यांति योगिनो नैव सोमपाः । यां गतिं यांति विधिजे द्वादशाक्षरतत्पराः ॥ ४२ ॥

Transliteration

na tāṃ gatiṃ surā yāṃti yogino naiva somapāḥ | yāṃ gatiṃ yāṃti vidhije dvādaśākṣaratatparāḥ || 42 ||

Translation

Weder die Götter noch die Yogins noch selbst die Soma-Trinker gelangen zu jenem höchsten Zustand; zu dem Zustand, den, o Brahmā-Geborener, wahrhaft jene erreichen, die dem zwölfsilbigen Mantra hingegeben sind.

Word by Word

• न: not
• न: Negation (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेधार्थक-निपात (negation)

• ताम्: that
• ताम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (गतिम् इति)

• गतिम्: state/goal/attainment
• गतिम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• सुराः: the gods
• सुराः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• यान्ति: go/attain
• यान्ति: Kriya (क्रिया/Finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन

• योगिनः: yogis
• योगिनः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• न: not
• न: Negation (निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेधार्थक-निपात

• एव: indeed/at all
• एव: Emphasis (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक-निपात (emphatic/only)

• सोमपाः: Soma-drinkers
• सोमपाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सोमपा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (सोमं पिबन्ति इति)

• याम्: which
• याम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक (relative) विशेषणम् (गतिम्)

• गतिम्: goal/state
• गतिम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• यान्ति: attain
• यान्ति: Kriya (क्रिया/Finite verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन

• विधिजे: O son of Brahmā (Nārada)
• विधिजे: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Vocative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विधिज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन/संबोधन-विभक्ति (Vocative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (विधेः जः = ब्रह्मणः पुत्रः), नारदसम्बोधनम्

• द्वादश-अक्षर-तत्पराः: those devoted to the twelve-syllabled (mantra)
• द्वादश-अक्षर-तत्पराः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वादश + अक्षर + तत्पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (द्वादशाक्षरे तत्पराः)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Devas
• Narayana
• Dvadasaksara Mantra

FAQs

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

It declares the supremacy of single-pointed devotion to the Dvādashākṣara (Vishnu) mantra, stating that its devotees attain a goal beyond what even devas, yogins, or Soma-sacrifice ritualists typically reach.

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

Bhakti here is defined as tatparatā—exclusive intent and surrender expressed through mantra-japa. The verse elevates heartfelt mantra-devotion over status (devas), technique (yoga), and ritual merit (Soma sacrifices).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It implicitly contrasts karma-kāṇḍa (Soma-yajña supported by Śrauta ritual disciplines) with mantra-upāsanā; the practical takeaway is disciplined japa and correct mantra recitation (linked to Śikṣā and Vyākaraṇa for sound and form), directed to Nārāyaṇa.