Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 43

The Narration of the Trayodaśī Vow Observed Throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

हरेण निर्मितः पूर्वं त्वमशोक कृपालुना । लोकोपकारकरणस्तत्प्रसीद शिवप्रिय ॥ ४३ ॥

Transliteration

hareṇa nirmitaḥ pūrvaṃ tvamaśoka kṛpālunā | lokopakārakaraṇastatprasīda śivapriya || 43 ||

Translation

Ô Aśoka, jadis tu fus créé par le compatissant Hari pour le bien du monde ; sois donc favorable—ô bien-aimé de Śiva.

Word by Word

• hareṇa: by Hari (Viṣṇu)
• hareṇa: Kartṛ-karaṇa/Agent-instrument (कर्ता-तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• nirmitaḥ: made/created
• nirmitaḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: nir-√mā (धातु)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• pūrvam: formerly
• pūrvam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverb (कालवाचक-अव्यय), 'formerly/earlier'

• tvam: you
• tvam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yuzmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Second person pronoun, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• aśoka: O Aśoka
• aśoka: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aśoka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

• kṛpālunā: by the compassionate (one)
• kṛpālunā: Kartṛ-karaṇa/Agent-instrument (कर्ता-तृतीया)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛpālu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); adjective qualifying hareṇa

• loka-upakāra-karaṇaḥ: one who brings benefit to the world
• loka-upakāra-karaṇaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक) + upakāra (प्रातिपदिक) + karaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'lokasya upakāra-karaṇaḥ' (one who effects benefit to the world)

• tat: therefore
• tat: Sambandha/Discourse particle (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Particle/adverb (निपात/अव्यय), 'therefore/then'

• prasīda: be pleased
• prasīda: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√sad (धातु)
• Form: Imperative (लोट्), 2nd person (मध्यमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• śiva-priya: O beloved of Śiva
• śiva-priya: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiva (प्रातिपदिक) + priya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन); tatpuruṣa: 'śivasya priyaḥ'

Speaker

Narada (contextual attribution within Book 1.4 dialogue framework)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Aśoka-vrata (context mantra)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Vishnu)
• Shiva
• Ashoka

FAQs

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

It frames a being (Aśoka) as divinely purposed—created by Hari for loka-upakāra—so spiritual life is measured by world-welfare aligned with divine will, sought through grace (prasāda).

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

Bhakti here is expressed as reverent remembrance and praise: acknowledging Hari as creator and seeking prasāda, while also honoring Śiva (“Śiva-priya”), reflecting Purāṇic harmony of devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is dhārmic application—use one’s role and capacities for loka-upakāra as an offering consistent with Purāṇic dharma.