Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

Mārkaṇḍeya-varṇanam

The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya

Devanagari script

आत्मवान्सत्यसन्धश्च मार्तण्डसदृशप्रभः । वशी शान्तो महाज्ञानी सर्वतत्त्वार्थकोविदः ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

ātmavānsatyasandhaśca mārtaṇḍasadṛśaprabhaḥ | vaśī śānto mahājñānī sarvatattvārthakovidaḥ || 15 ||

Translation

Self-possessed and true to his vows, he shone like the Sun; disciplined and self-controlled, serene, a great knower, he was fully versed in the meaning of all tattvas, the principles of reality.

Word by Word

• आत्मवान्: self-possessed
• आत्मवान्: Karta-anvaya (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आत्मवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त (possessing self-control/steadfastness)

• सत्यसन्धः: true to his vow
• सत्यसन्धः: Karta-anvaya (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्यसन्ध (प्रातिपदिक: सत्य + सन्ध)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• मार्तण्डसदृशप्रभः: having radiance like the sun
• मार्तण्डसदृशप्रभः: Karta-anvaya (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मार्तण्ड-सदृश-प्रभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; (मार्तण्डस्य सदृशी प्रभा यस्य)

• वशी: self-controlled
• वशी: Karta-anvaya (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वशिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; इन्-प्रत्ययान्त

• शान्तः: peaceful
• शान्तः: Karta-anvaya (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (प्रातिपदिक; √शम् शान्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• महाज्ञानी: great knower
• महाज्ञानी: Karta-anvaya (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाज्ञानिन् (प्रातिपदिक: महा + ज्ञानिन्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; इन्-प्रत्ययान्त; विशेषण

• सर्वतत्त्वार्थकोविदः: skilled in the meanings of all principles
• सर्वतत्त्वार्थकोविदः: Karta-anvaya (कर्तृविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व-तत्त्व-अर्थ-कोविद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; (सर्वेषां तत्त्वानाम् अर्थेषु कोविदः)

Speaker

Suta (narrator) describing the exalted sage being discussed in the dialogue context

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Mārtaṇḍa (Sun)

FAQs

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

It lists the hallmark qualities of a spiritually perfected person—truthfulness, inner mastery, serenity, and insight into tattvas—showing that realization is recognized by character and clarity, not merely by ritual status.

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

Bhakti in the Narada Purana is sustained by sattvic virtues: keeping vows, controlling the senses, and maintaining peace; these traits purify the heart so devotion becomes steady and luminous like the Sun.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

While no single Vedanga is named, the phrase “knower of the meaning of all tattvas” implies mastery of interpretive knowledge used in Vedic study—especially disciplined understanding of meaning (artha) and correct discernment essential for śāstra-based practice.