Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 68

Śrāddha-prayoga: Niyama, Brāhmaṇa-parīkṣā, Kutapa-kāla, Tithi-nyāya, and Vaiṣṇava-phala

Devanagari script

सामान्यपितथोक्तानि वदेत्पुण्यप्रदां स्तथा । इतिहासपुराणानि धर्मशास्त्राणि चैव हि ॥ ६८ ॥

Transliteration

sāmānyapitathoktāni vadetpuṇyapradāṃ stathā | itihāsapurāṇāni dharmaśāstrāṇi caiva hi || 68 ||

Translation

One should teach those general instructions declared by the forefathers, for they bestow merit; and one should likewise expound the Itihāsas and Purāṇas, and indeed the Dharmaśāstras as well.

Word by Word

• सामान्यपितथोक्तानि: the generally and truly stated (sayings)
• सामान्यपितथोक्तानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सामान्य + पितथ + उक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; समासः (सामान्य-पितथ-उक्तानि = सामान्यपितथेन उक्तानि)

• वदेत्: should speak / should recite
• वदेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्

• पुण्यप्रदाम्: bestowing merit
• पुण्यप्रदाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य + प्रद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (पुण्यं प्रददाति इति)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; प्रकारार्थे (likewise)

• इतिहासपुराणानि: the Itihāsas and Purāṇas
• इतिहासपुराणानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इतिहास + पुराण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; इतिहासनां पुराणानां च समाहार-द्वन्द्वः

• धर्मशास्त्राणि: Dharma-śāstras (treatises on dharma)
• धर्मशास्त्राणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म + शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गम्, द्वितीया विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (धर्मस्य शास्त्राणि)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्ययम्

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चय/अवधारणार्थक-अव्ययम् (emphatic particle)

• हि: for
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: हेतौ/निश्चये अव्ययम् (particle: for/indeed)

Speaker

Sanatkumāra (teaching Nārada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It affirms that transmitting time-tested, ancestral dharma and teaching Itihāsa–Purāṇa and Dharmaśāstra is itself a meritorious act (puṇya), because these sources preserve right conduct and sacred meaning.

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

By recommending Itihāsas and Purāṇas as teachings to be spoken, the verse points to the primary narrative vehicles through which devotion—especially Hari/Vishnu-bhakti—is cultivated via hearing, reflection, and moral exemplars.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Rather than a specific Vedāṅga, the verse highlights practical dharma-pedagogy: using Dharmaśāstra and Itihāsa–Purāṇa as applied guides for conduct, vows, and ritual life grounded in tradition.