Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 22

Maṅgalācaraṇa, Naimiṣāraṇya-Sabhā, Sūta-Āhvāna, and Narada Purāṇa-Māhātmya

Devanagari script

वेदवेदाङ्गशास्त्राणां सारभूतं मुनीश्वराः । जगद्धितार्थं तत्सर्वं पुराणेषूक्तवान्मुनिः ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

vedavedāṅgaśāstrāṇāṃ sārabhūtaṃ munīśvarāḥ | jagaddhitārthaṃ tatsarvaṃ purāṇeṣūktavānmuniḥ || 21 ||

Translation

O best of sages, the very essence of the Vedas and the Vedāṅga disciplines has been set forth by the muni in the Purāṇas—all of it—for the welfare of the world.

Word by Word

• वेद-वेदाङ्ग-शास्त्राणाम्: of the Vedas, Vedāṅgas, and śāstras
• वेद-वेदाङ्ग-शास्त्राणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद + वेदाङ्ग + शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (6th/Genitive), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (वेदाः च वेदाङ्गानि च शास्त्राणि च)

• सारभूतम्: the essential (essence)
• सारभूतम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सार-भूत (प्रातिपदिक; भूत < √भू कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; कर्मधारयः ‘सारः एव भूतम्’

• मुनीश्वराः: lords among sages
• मुनीश्वराः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि-ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (मुनीनां ईश्वराः)

• जगत्-हित-अर्थम्: for the welfare of the world
• जगत्-हित-अर्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत्-हित-अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; चतुर्थी/षष्ठी-अर्थे तत्पुरुषः ‘जगतः हितस्य अर्थम्’ (for the welfare of the world)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; सर्वनाम; ‘सर्वम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• सर्वम्: all (of it)
• सर्वम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• पुराणेषु: in the Purāṇas
• पुराणेषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुराण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th), बहुवचन

• उक्तवान्: said / has spoken
• उक्तवान्: Kriya (क्रिया/Verbal predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वच् (धातु) + क्तवतुँ (कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; क्तवतुँ-प्रत्ययान्त भूतपूर्व-कर्तरि (perfective past participle: ‘having said’)

• मुनिः: the sage
• मुनिः: Karta (कर्ता/Agent of ‘उक्तवान्’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

Speaker

Sūta (narrator) addressing the assembled sages (munīśvarāḥ)

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 states that Purāṇas function as a compassionate distillation of Vedic and Vedāṅga wisdom, arranged for lokahita—making profound dharma and sacred knowledge accessible for the good of all.

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

By presenting the Purāṇas as the Vedic essence meant for universal welfare, the verse supports Purāṇic bhakti as a practical, approachable way to receive Vedic truth—especially through narratives, praise, and dharma-centered living.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It explicitly points to the Vedāṅga śāstras being summarized in Purāṇas—traditionally including Śikṣā (phonetics), Vyākaraṇa (grammar), Chandas (meter), Nirukta (etymology), Jyotiṣa (Vedic astronomy/astrology), and Kalpa (ritual procedure).