Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

The Exposition of the Table of Contents (Anukramaṇī) of the Agni Purāṇa

Devanagari script

साहित्यं च ततः पश्चादेकार्णादिसमाह्वयाः । सिद्धशब्दानुशिष्टिश्चकोशः सर्गादिवर्गकः ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

sāhityaṃ ca tataḥ paścādekārṇādisamāhvayāḥ | siddhaśabdānuśiṣṭiścakośaḥ sargādivargakaḥ || 20 ||

Translation

Thereafter comes the section on sāhitya, literary composition; then the compilation known by the title beginning with “Ekārṇa…”, followed by instruction on established, authoritative words (siddha-śabda); and also a kośa, a lexicon arranged by categories such as sarga (creation) and related topics.

Word by Word

• साहित्यं: literature/poetics
• साहित्यं: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साहित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, conjunction

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Sequencing)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, adverb: thereafter

• पश्चात्: afterwards
• पश्चात्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Sequencing)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पश्चात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, कालवाचक (temporal adverb): 'afterwards'

• एकार्ण-आदि-समाह्वयाः: those having titles like 'Ekārṇa' etc.
• एकार्ण-आदि-समाह्वयाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एकार्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक) + समाह्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; बहुव्रीहिः: येषां समाह्वयः 'एकार्ण' इत्यादि ते (ग्रन्थाः/अध्यायाः)

• सिद्ध-शब्द-अनुशिष्टिः: instruction on established/standard words
• सिद्ध-शब्द-अनुशिष्टिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सिद्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + शब्द (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुशिष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: सिद्धशब्दानाम् अनुशिष्टिः

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, conjunction

• कोशः: lexicon/dictionary
• कोशः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कोश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सर्ग-आदि-वर्गकः: classified into sections such as 'sarga' etc.
• सर्ग-आदि-वर्गकः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक) + वर्गक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कोशः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्; तत्पुरुषः: सर्गादिवर्गः यस्य सः (वर्गकः)

Speaker

Suta (narrator) describing the Narada Purana’s contents (anukramanika style)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It shows that the Purana preserves not only theology but also the supporting disciplines—literature, authoritative word-usage, and lexicons—so sacred meaning can be transmitted precisely.

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

Indirectly: by emphasizing correct language and organized knowledge, it safeguards accurate recitation and understanding of devotional narratives and hymns, which are foundational for Vishnu-bhakti practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Linguistic disciplines—especially authoritative word-instruction (linked to Vyākaraṇa/grammar and Nirukta/semantic clarity) and the use of a kośa (lexicon) arranged by thematic categories like sarga (creation).