Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 158

The Description of the Skanda Purāṇa’s Anukramaṇī

Index/Summary

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मणो यज्ञचरितं सावित्र्याख्यानसंयुतम् । रैवतं भार्तयज्ञाख्यं मुख्यतीर्थनिरीक्षणम् ॥ १५८ ॥

Transliteration

brahmaṇo yajñacaritaṃ sāvitryākhyānasaṃyutam | raivataṃ bhārtayajñākhyaṃ mukhyatīrthanirīkṣaṇam || 158 ||

Translation

On y raconte le récit sacrificiel de Brahmā, accompagné de l’épisode de Sāvitrī; ainsi que le récit de Raivata—connu sous le nom de Bhārta-yajña—et l’examen des tīrtha les plus éminents, hauts lieux de pèlerinage.

Word by Word

• brahmaṇaḥ: of Brahmā/of Brahman
• brahmaṇaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter stem ‘brahman’; Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• yajña-caritam: the account of the sacrifice
• yajña-caritam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yajña (प्रातिपदिक) + carita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; तत्पुरुषः (yajñasya caritam)

• sāvitrī-ākhyāna-saṃyutam: connected with the Sāvitrī narrative
• sāvitrī-ākhyāna-saṃyutam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sāvitrī (प्रातिपदिक) + ākhyāna (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃyuta (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त-निष्पन्न)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; विशेषण; तत्पुरुषः (sāvitrī-ākhyānena saṃyutam = ‘joined with the Sāvitrī narrative’)

• raivatam: Raivata (section/account)
• raivatam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raivata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter as title/name, Nominative/Accusative, Singular

• bhārta-yajña-ākhyam: called ‘Bhārta-yajña’
• bhārta-yajña-ākhyam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhārta (प्रातिपदिक) + yajña (प्रातिपदिक) + ākhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; विशेषण; तत्पुरुषः (bhārta-yajña-nāmakaṃ)

• mukhya-tīrtha-nirīkṣaṇam: the survey/description of principal pilgrimage places
• mukhya-tīrtha-nirīkṣaṇam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mukhya (प्रातिपदिक) + tīrtha (प्रातिपदिक) + nirīkṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular; तत्पुरुषः (mukhyānāṃ tīrthānāṃ nirīkṣaṇam)

Speaker

Narada (topic-summary verse within the Narada Purana’s Anukramaṇikā section; traditionally conveyed in Narada’s narration to sages such as Sanatkumara and others)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Savitri
• Raivata

FAQs

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

This verse functions as an index-like summary: it signals that the text teaches dharma through exemplary narratives—Brahmā’s yajña, Sāvitrī’s episode, and Raivata’s account—culminating in guidance on approaching the chief tīrthas as supports for purification and merit.

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

While the verse itself is a topical heading, it frames bhakti indirectly: pilgrimage (tīrtha-sevā) and sacred narratives are presented as traditional supports that prepare the mind for sustained devotion and remembrance of the Divine taught throughout the Narada Purana.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The practical emphasis is ritual-application (yajña) and tīrtha-darśana (pilgrimage protocol). It points to Dharma-śāstra style practice rather than a specific Vedāṅga like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa in this single verse.