Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

कृतज्ञं गुणसंपन्नं गुरुशुश्रूषणे रतम् । परोपदेशनिरतं सच्छास्त्रकथनैस्तथा ॥ ९ ॥

Transliteration

kṛtajñaṃ guṇasaṃpannaṃ guruśuśrūṣaṇe ratam | paropadeśanirataṃ sacchāstrakathanaistathā || 9 ||

Translation

One should be grateful, endowed with virtues, devoted to serving the guru, committed to instructing others, and likewise engaged in expounding true and noble scriptures.

Word by Word

• कृतज्ञम्: grateful
• कृतज्ञम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत + ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular; adjectival)

• गुणसंपन्नम्: possessed of virtues
• गुणसंपन्नम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुण + संपन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular; adjectival)

• गुरुशुश्रूषणे: in service to the teacher
• गुरुशुश्रूषणे: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु + शुश्रूषण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; अधिकरण (Neuter, Locative, Singular; locus)

• रतम्: devoted/engaged
• रतम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular; adjectival)

• परोपदेशनिरतम्: engaged in instructing others
• परोपदेशनिरतम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर + उपदेश + निरत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular; adjectival)

• सच्छास्त्रकथनैः: by/with true scriptural discourses
• सच्छास्त्रकथनैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत् + शास्त्र + कथन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; करण (Neuter, Instrumental, Plural; means)

• तथा: thus/also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (adverb: 'thus/also')

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue style typical of the Purva Bhaga)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Guru
• Shastra

FAQs

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

It defines the inner qualifications that make sacred learning fruitful—gratitude, virtue, and humility through guru-service—so that knowledge becomes dharmic conduct and benefits others.

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

By emphasizing guru-śuśrūṣā (devoted service to the teacher) and sat-śāstra-kathana (sharing true scripture), it frames devotion as reverent service and selfless transmission of dharma rather than mere personal attainment.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse highlights śāstra-kathana—disciplined explanation/teaching of authoritative texts—supporting the Vedanga tradition of correct interpretation and instruction (especially Vyākaraṇa-based clarity and Śikṣā-based proper recitation in learning contexts).