Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

Mokṣopāya: Bhakti-rooted Jñāna and the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Viṣṇu-Meditation

Devanagari script

अद्वयं निगुणं नित्यमद्वितीयमनौपमम् । परिपूर्णं ज्ञानमयं विदुर्मोक्षप्रताधकम् ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

advayaṃ niguṇaṃ nityamadvitīyamanaupamam | paripūrṇaṃ jñānamayaṃ vidurmokṣapratādhakam || 23 ||

Translation

The wise know That Reality as non-dual, beyond the guṇas, eternal, without a second and incomparable—complete, made of pure consciousness-knowledge, and the bestower of mokṣa, liberation.

Word by Word

• अद्वयम्: non-dual
• अद्वयम्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अद्वय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• निगुणम्: without qualities (nirguṇa)
• निगुणम्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निगुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• नित्यम्: eternal
• नित्यम्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• अद्वितीयम्: without a second; unique
• अद्वितीयम्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अद्वितीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• अनौपमम्: incomparable
• अनौपमम्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनौपम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• परिपूर्णम्: complete; all-full
• परिपूर्णम्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परिपूर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• ज्ञानमयम्: consisting of knowledge
• ज्ञानमयम्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञान + मय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण; मय-प्रत्ययान्त (made of/consisting of)

• विदुः: (they) know; declare
• विदुः: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विद् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन; √विद् = to know

• मोक्षप्रदायकम्: bestowing liberation
• मोक्षप्रदायकम्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मोक्ष + प्रदायक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण; (मोक्षस्य प्रदायकः)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

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 defines the liberating Reality as non-dual, nirguṇa, eternal, and pure consciousness—implying that mokṣa comes from realizing Brahman as one without a second.

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

While the verse speaks in jñāna-language, it supports bhakti by clarifying the supreme object of devotion: the incomparable, eternal, non-dual Brahman (often approached as the highest form of the Lord).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught here; the focus is Vedānta-style metaphysics—nirguṇa, advaya Brahman as the basis for liberation.