Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 166

The Description of the Skanda Purāṇa’s Anukramaṇī

Index/Summary

Devanagari script

पृथ्वीदानं वानकेशं कपालमोचनेश्वरम् । पापपिंडं मासलैंगं युगमानादिकीर्तनम् ॥ १६६ ॥

Transliteration

pṛthvīdānaṃ vānakeśaṃ kapālamocaneśvaram | pāpapiṃḍaṃ māsalaiṃgaṃ yugamānādikīrtanam || 166 ||

Translation

«Pṛthvīdāna», «Vānakeśa», «Kapālamocaneśvara», «Pāpapiṇḍa», «Māsalaiṅga», et le récit qui commence par «Yugamāna» : tels sont les noms/thèmes à réciter dans l’énumération.

Word by Word

• पृथ्वीदानम्: gift of land/earth
• पृथ्वीदानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथ्वी-दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular)

• वानकेशम्: Vānakeśa (a form/name of Śiva)
• वानकेशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वानक-ईश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Masculine, Accusative, Singular); देवतानाम

• कपालमोचनेश्वरम्: Kapālamocaneśvara (Lord who frees from the skull/kapāla)
• कपालमोचनेश्वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपाल-मोचन-ईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Masculine, Accusative, Singular); देवतानाम

• पापपिंडम्: sin-offering ball (piṇḍa for expiation)
• पापपिंडम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाप-पिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Masculine, Accusative, Singular)

• मासलैंगम्: monthly liṅga (monthly worship of liṅga)
• मासलैंगम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मास-लैङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Accusative, Singular)

• युगमानादिकीर्तनम्: recitation of (topics like) yuga-measures and others
• युगमानादिकीर्तनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युग-मान-आदि-कीर्तन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Nom/Acc, Singular)

Speaker

Narada (in an Anukramanika-style enumeration within Book 1.4)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Kapālamocaneśvara (Śiva epithet)

FAQs

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

It functions as an anukramaṇikā (index-like) verse: the spiritual value lies in remembering and reciting sacred names/topics—many of which are associated with merit (puṇya) and removal of sin (pāpa-kṣaya).

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

By emphasizing kīrtana—devotional recitation/remembering—of sanctifying names and themes; in Purāṇic practice, such remembrance supports bhakti as a steady discipline of mind and speech.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Primarily nirukta/vyākaraṇa-style utility: preserving correct titles and name-forms for accurate recitation and transmission of Purāṇic catalogues (anukramaṇikā), which is essential for ritual and textual fidelity.