Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

The Description of the Index (Anukramaṇikā) of the Padma Purāṇa

Devanagari script

वर्णाश्रमानुरोधेन कर्मयोगनिरूपणम् । व्यासजमिनिसंवादः पुण्यकर्मकथान्वितः ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

varṇāśramānurodhena karmayoganirūpaṇam | vyāsajaminisaṃvādaḥ puṇyakarmakathānvitaḥ || 17 ||

Translation

On y expose le Karma-yoga selon les devoirs du varṇa et de l’āśrama; et l’on y rapporte le dialogue entre Vyāsa et Jaimini, accompagné de récits d’actes méritoires.

Word by Word

• वर्ण-आश्रम-अनुरोधेन: in accordance with varṇa and āśrama
• वर्ण-आश्रम-अनुरोधेन: Hetu (हेतु/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुरोध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; समासः द्वन्द्व-तत्पुरुष-समाससदृशः (वर्णाश्रमयोः अनुरोधः)

• कर्म-योग-निरूपणम्: the exposition of karma-yoga
• कर्म-योग-निरूपणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + योग (प्रातिपदिक) + निरूपण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (कर्मयोगस्य निरूपणम्)

• व्यास-जैमिनि-संवादः: the dialogue between Vyāsa and Jaimini
• व्यास-जैमिनि-संवादः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्यास (प्रातिपदिक) + जैमिनि (प्रातिपदिक) + संवाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (व्यासजैमिन्योः संवादः)

• पुण्य-कर्म-कथा-अन्वितः: accompanied by accounts of meritorious deeds
• पुण्य-कर्म-कथा-अन्वितः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + कथा (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्वित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (पुण्यकर्मकथाभिः अन्वितः); विशेषणम् (संवादस्य)

Speaker

Sūta (Anukramaṇikā-style chapter outline within the Purāṇa narrative)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vyāsa
• Jaimini

FAQs

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

It functions as an anukramaṇikā (topic-index) verse, highlighting that spiritual progress is taught through Karma-yoga aligned with one’s varṇa and āśrama, reinforced by exemplary stories of puṇya (merit).

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

While Bhakti is not named in this verse, it frames a dharmic foundation: disciplined action (karma-yoga) performed as duty becomes a supportive pathway that, in the Purāṇic teaching style, typically culminates in devotion-oriented purification and steadiness of mind.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes applied dharma-śāstra practice—how duties vary by varṇa and āśrama—rather than a specific Vedāṅga; it points to practical ritual-ethics guidance and narrative exemplars of meritorious conduct.