Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 25

Bhāgīratha’s Bringing of the Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

यद्वचः प्रोच्यते सद्भिस्तत्सत्यमभिधीयते । सर्वेषामेव जन्तूनामक्लेशजननं हि तत् ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

yadvacaḥ procyate sadbhistatsatyamabhidhīyate | sarveṣāmeva jantūnāmakleśajananaṃ hi tat || 25 ||

Translation

That speech which is uttered by the virtuous is called “truth,” for it indeed brings forth freedom from distress for all living beings.

Word by Word

• यत्: which/that (what)
• यत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (relative)

• वचः: speech/statement
• वचः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन

• प्रोच्यते: is spoken/uttered
• प्रोच्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), कर्मणि प्रयोग; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• सद्भिः: by the good (virtuous people)
• सद्भिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया बहुवचन; ‘good/virtuous persons’

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन

• सत्यम्: truth
• सत्यम्: Pratipadya/Predicative (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन (predicate nominative)

• अभिधीयते: is called/denoted
• अभिधीयते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि + धा (धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), कर्मणि प्रयोग; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• सर्वेषाम्: of all
• सर्वेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, षष्ठी बहुवचन

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात; emphasis ‘indeed/only’

• जन्तूनाम्: of living beings
• जन्तूनाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन्तु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी बहुवचन

• अक्लेश-जननम्: producing no distress; non-affliction-causing
• अक्लेश-जननम्: Pratipadya/Predicative (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अक्लेश (प्रातिपदिक) + जनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (अक्लेशस्य जननम् / अक्लेशं जनयति इति); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया एकवचन

• हि: for/indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात; causal/emphatic

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन

Speaker

Sage Narada (teaching the Sanatkumara brothers)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

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

It defines truth (satya) not merely as factuality but as virtuous speech that benefits beings—truth is aligned with compassion and the reduction of suffering.

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

Bhakti is supported by disciplined, non-harmful speech: a devotee’s words should reflect sattva, kindness, and welfare of others, which sustains purity of mind for devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It points to the applied discipline of correct and ethical speech—closely aligned with Śikṣā (phonetics/speech training) and Vyākaraṇa (refined expression)—used in service of dharma rather than mere rhetoric.