Shloka 37

Puruṣottama-kṣetra Māhātmya: Śveta-Mādhava & Matsya-Mādhava; Mārkaṇḍeya-tīrtha Mārjana and Bath Liturgy

Devanagari script

नारायणपरा वेदा नारायणपरा द्विजाः । नारायणपरं ज्ञानं नारायणपरा क्रिया ॥ ३७ ॥

Transliteration

nārāyaṇaparā vedā nārāyaṇaparā dvijāḥ | nārāyaṇaparaṃ jñānaṃ nārāyaṇaparā kriyā || 37 ||

Translation

Die Veden sind auf Nārāyaṇa ausgerichtet; die Dvijas (die «Zweimalgeborenen») sind auf Nārāyaṇa ausgerichtet. Erkenntnis hat Nārāyaṇa als höchstes Ziel, und auch das rituelle Handeln (kriyā) ist auf Nārāyaṇa hingeordnet.

Word by Word

• नारायण-पराः: having Nārāyaṇa as the supreme goal
• नारायण-पराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नारायण (प्रातिपदिक) + पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—‘नारायणः परः यस्य/येषाम्’ in sense ‘having Nārāyaṇa as the highest/goal’ (पर-शब्दः)

• वेदाः: the Vedas
• वेदाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• नारायण-पराः: Nārāyaṇa-centered
• नारायण-पराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नारायण (प्रातिपदिक) + पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• द्विजाः: twice-born (Brahmins etc.)
• द्विजाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• नारायण-परम्: Nārāyaṇa as the highest
• नारायण-परम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नारायण (प्रातिपदिक) + पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; ‘having Nārāyaṇa as supreme’

• ज्ञानम्: knowledge
• ज्ञानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ज्ञान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• नारायण-पराः: Nārāyaṇa-centered
• नारायण-पराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नारायण (प्रातिपदिक) + पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन (कर्म/क्रिया-शब्दानुसार); ‘Nārāyaṇa as supreme’

• क्रिया: ritual/action
• क्रिया: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Narayana
• Vedas
• Dvija

FAQs

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

It declares Nārāyaṇa as the final center of authority and purpose—Veda, learned communities (dvijas), spiritual knowledge, and ritual action all find their culmination in devotion and surrender to Nārāyaṇa.

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

By stating that both jñāna (knowledge) and kriyā (religious practice) are “Nārāyaṇa-oriented,” it frames bhakti not as separate from Vedic life but as its inner destination and unifying aim.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse does not name a specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa), but it gives the guiding principle for all Vedic disciplines and rituals: their correct application is to support Nārāyaṇa-centered understanding and worship.