Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

The Description of the Index/Summary of the Garuḍa

Purāṇa

Devanagari script

षोडशश्राद्धफलको वृत्तांतश्चात्र वर्णितः । निष्कृतिर्यममार्गस्य धर्मराजस्य वैभवम् ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

ṣoḍaśaśrāddhaphalako vṛttāṃtaścātra varṇitaḥ | niṣkṛtiryamamārgasya dharmarājasya vaibhavam || 23 ||

Translation

Ici est exposé le récit des fruits des seize Śrāddhas, ainsi que l’expiation (niṣkṛti) concernant la voie de Yama et la majesté de Dharmarāja.

Word by Word

• षोडश-श्राद्ध-फल-कः: (the account) concerning the fruits of the sixteen śrāddhas
• षोडश-श्राद्ध-फल-कः: Karta (कर्ता) (qualifying 'वृत्तान्तः')
• Type: Adjective
• Root: षोडश (प्रातिपदिक) + श्राद्ध (प्रातिपदिक) + फल (प्रातिपदिक) + क (प्रातिपदिक/तद्धित)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (षोडशानां श्राद्धानां फलम्) + तद्धित -क (possessing/relating)

• वृत्तान्तः: account; narrative
• वृत्तान्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वृत्तान्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय-अव्यय

• अत्र: here
• अत्र: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक (locative adverb: 'here/in this [section]')

• वर्णितः: has been described
• वर्णितः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वर्ण् (धातु) → वर्णित (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त-प्रत्यय, past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि ('has been described')

• निष्कृतिः: expiation; deliverance
• निष्कृतिः: Karta (कर्ता) (as another topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निष्कृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• यम-मार्गस्य: of Yama’s path
• यम-मार्गस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यम (प्रातिपदिक) + मार्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (यमस्य मार्गः)

• धर्म-राजस्य: of Dharmarāja (Yama)
• धर्म-राजस्य: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय (धर्मः एव राजा)

• वैभवम्: splendour; majesty
• वैभवम्: Karma (कर्म) / Vishaya (विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैभव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (as the narrator summarizing contents, in dialogue-context with Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Śrāddha (ṣoḍaśa-śrāddha cycle)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Yama
• Dharmaraja

FAQs

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

It functions as an index-like statement: the Purana has already explained the merits of the sixteen Śrāddhas, the remedial rites related to Yama’s path after death, and the sovereignty of Dharmarāja—linking ritual duty (pitṛ-tarpaṇa/śrāddha) with moral order (dharma) and post-death consequences.

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

Indirectly: by affirming dharmic observances like Śrāddha and respect for cosmic justice (Dharmarāja), it frames devotion as disciplined living—where honoring ancestors and following prescribed duties supports a sattvic life conducive to Vishnu-bhakti and spiritual progress.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual application is emphasized (Kalpa/Smārta practice): performing Śrāddha correctly and knowing the appropriate niṣkṛti (prāyaścitta) for faults—practical guidance aligned with dharma-śāstra and ritual procedure.