Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

गंगादितीर्थमाहात्म्यं द्वीपवर्षानुवर्णनम् । ऊर्द्ध्वाधोलोकरचना ज्योतिश्चक्रनिरूपणम् ॥ ८ ॥

Transliteration

gaṃgāditīrthamāhātmyaṃ dvīpavarṣānuvarṇanam | ūrddhvādholokaracanā jyotiścakranirūpaṇam || 8 ||

Translation

It describes the greatness of the sacred tīrthas beginning with the Gaṅgā, the account of the dvīpas and varṣas (continents and regions), the structure of the higher and lower worlds, and the exposition of the celestial wheel of luminaries (jyotiṣ-cakra).

Word by Word

• gaṅgā-ādi-tīrtha-māhātmyam: the greatness of Gaṅgā and other sacred fords
• gaṅgā-ādi-tīrtha-māhātmyam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gaṅgā (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक) + tīrtha (प्रातिपदिक) + māhātmya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc. 1st/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—तत्पुरुषः: ‘गङ्गादि-तीर्थाणां माहात्म्यम्’

• dvīpa-varṣa-anuvarṇanam: detailed description of continents and regions
• dvīpa-varṣa-anuvarṇanam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvīpa (प्रातिपदिक) + varṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + anuvarṇana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc. 1st/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—तत्पुरुषः: ‘द्वीपवर्षयोः अनुवर्णनम्’

• ūrdhva-adhaḥ-loka-racanā: the structure of the upper and lower worlds
• ūrdhva-adhaḥ-loka-racanā: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ūrdhva (प्रातिपदिक) + adhaḥ (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + loka (प्रातिपदिक) + racanā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—द्वन्द्वः (itaretara): ‘ऊर्ध्वलोकश्च अधोलोकश्च’ + racanā (arrangement)

• jyotiḥ-cakra-nirūpaṇam: exposition of the celestial/astral cycles
• jyotiḥ-cakra-nirūpaṇam: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jyotis (प्रातिपदिक) + cakra (प्रातिपदिक) + nirūpaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc. 1st/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—तत्पुरुषः: ‘ज्योतिषां चक्रस्य निरूपणम्’

Speaker

Suta (summarizing the Narada Purana’s contents in Anukramanika style)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Ganga

FAQs

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

This verse functions as an index of topics, highlighting that the Purana sanctifies tīrtha-yātrā (especially Gaṅgā and other holy fords) and frames pilgrimage, geography, and cosmology as supports for dharma and sacred understanding.

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

Indirectly: by praising tīrthas like the Gaṅgā and mapping the sacred universe, it encourages devotional practice through pilgrimage, remembrance of holy places, and reverence for the divine order governing all lokas.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Jyotiṣa is indicated through “jyotiś-cakra-nirūpaṇam,” pointing to practical knowledge of the cycles/orbits of luminaries used for calendrics, timing of rituals, and understanding cosmic order in the Narada Purana tradition.