Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 42

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

Devanagari script

कर्मणा मनसा वाचा सर्वलोकहिते रतः । समर्चयति देवेशं क्रियायोगः स उच्यते ॥ ४२ ॥

Transliteration

karmaṇā manasā vācā sarvalokahite rataḥ | samarcayati deveśaṃ kriyāyogaḥ sa ucyate || 42 ||

Translation

Cuando alguien, por obra, mente y palabra, se dedica al bien de todos los seres y adora debidamente al Señor de los dioses, eso se llama kriyā-yoga: el yoga de la acción sagrada.

Word by Word

• karmaṇā: by action/deed
• karmaṇā: Karaṇa (करण/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (तृतीया/3rd), Singular

• manasā: by mind
• manasā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• vācā: by speech
• vācā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāc (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• sarva-loka-hite: in the welfare of all worlds/beings
• sarva-loka-hite: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण/locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक) + loka (प्रातिपदिक) + hita (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (सप्तमी/7th), Singular; समासः—सर्वलोकस्य हिते (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• rataḥ: engaged
• rataḥ: Karta-anvaya (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ram (धातु)
• Form: Past participle (क्त/PPP used adjectivally), Masculine, Nominative, Singular; ‘engaged/devoted’

• samarcayati: worships properly
• samarcayati: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-arc (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्/present), 3rd person, Singular; parasmaipada

• deva-īśam: the Lord of the gods
• deva-īśam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक) + īśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया/2nd), Singular; समासः—देवानाम् ईशः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• kriyā-yogaḥ: kriyā-yoga (discipline of action)
• kriyā-yogaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kriyā (प्रातिपदिक) + yoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; समासः—क्रियायाः योगः / क्रियायोगः (तत्पुरुष)

• saḥ: that/it
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular; pronoun

• ucyate: is called
• ucyate: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ (लट्/present), 3rd person, Singular; ātmanepada; passive ‘is said/called’

Speaker

Sanatkumāra (teaching Nārada in the dialogue on yoga and dharma)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Deveśa (Īśvara)

FAQs

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

It defines Kriyā-yoga as integrated spiritual practice: aligning action, thought, and speech with universal welfare and reverent worship of the Supreme Lord.

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

Bhakti is shown not only as emotion but as lived devotion—expressed through respectful worship (samarcana) and compassionate conduct aimed at the good of all beings.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It emphasizes disciplined ritual conduct and correct performance of worship (kriyā), aligning with Kalpa (ritual procedure) and Dharmaśāstric principles of right action.