Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 174

The Description of the Worship of Rāma and Others

Rāmādi-pūjā-vidhāna

Devanagari script

पुनरावृत्तिरहितः शाश्वतं पदमश्वतं पदमश्नुते । सकामो वांछितान् लब्ध्वा भुक्त्वा भोगान् मनोगतान् ॥ १७४ ॥

Transliteration

punarāvṛttirahitaḥ śāśvataṃ padamaśvataṃ padamaśnute | sakāmo vāṃchitān labdhvā bhuktvā bhogān manogatān || 174 ||

Translation

One who is free from return attains the eternal state; but one driven by desire reaches the perishable state—having gained what he wished for and enjoyed the pleasures fashioned by the mind.

Word by Word

• पुनरावृत्ति-रहितः: free from rebirth/return
• पुनरावृत्ति-रहितः: Karta (कर्ता/विषय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुनरावृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + रहित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (devoid of return/recurrence)

• शाश्वतम्: eternal
• शाश्वतम्: Karma (कर्म/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शाश्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणं ‘पदम्’

• पदम्: abode/state
• पदम्: Karma (कर्म/गन्तव्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अश्वतम्: imperishable/everlasting
• अश्वतम्: Karma (कर्म/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अश्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणं ‘पदम्’ (text has repetition: padam aśvatam padam)

• पदम्: abode/state
• पदम्: Karma (कर्म/गन्तव्य)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• अश्नुते: attains
• अश्नुते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अश् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• सकामः: desireful
• सकामः: Karta (कर्ता/विषय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सकाम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (with desires)

• वाञ्छितान्: desired (things)
• वाञ्छितान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वाञ्छित (वाञ्छ् धातु, क्त कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; विशेषणं (फलान्/कामान् implied)

• लब्ध्वा: having obtained
• लब्ध्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु) क्त्वा
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund): ‘having obtained’

• भुक्त्वा: having enjoyed
• भुक्त्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भुज् (धातु) क्त्वा
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund): ‘having enjoyed/eaten’

• भोगान्: enjoyments
• भोगान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• मनोगतान्: mentally conceived
• मनोगतान्: Karma (कर्म/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनस् (प्रातिपदिक) + गत (गम् धातु, क्त कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषसमासः (gone into the mind = imagined/mentally conceived)

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 contrasts two outcomes: freedom from rebirth leads to the eternal state, while desire-driven pursuit leads only to temporary attainments and perishable destinations.

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

By implying that liberation requires freedom from desire and return, it aligns with bhakti and surrender that seek the eternal Lord rather than transient rewards.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights the phala-principle (results of actions): rituals or pursuits done with sakama intent yield finite, exhaustible results, whereas liberation-oriented practice aims beyond temporary fruits.