Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 31

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

Devanagari script

कार्तिकव्रतमाहात्म्यं माघस्नानफलं ततः । जम्बृद्वीपस्य तीर्थानां माहात्म्यं पापनाशनम् ॥ ३१ ॥

Transliteration

kārtikavratamāhātmyaṃ māghasnānaphalaṃ tataḥ | jambṛdvīpasya tīrthānāṃ māhātmyaṃ pāpanāśanam || 31 ||

Translation

Ensuite est décrite la grandeur du vœu de Kārtika ; puis le fruit du bain sacré au mois de Māgha ; et aussi la gloire, qui détruit les péchés, des tīrtha de Jambūdvīpa.

Word by Word

• कार्तिकव्रतमाहात्म्यम्: the glory of the Kārtika vow
• कार्तिकव्रतमाहात्म्यम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्तिक-व्रत-माहात्म्य (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी/सम्बन्ध-तत्पुरुषः: ‘कार्तिकव्रतस्य माहात्म्यम्’

• माघस्नानफलम्: the fruit of bathing in Māgha
• माघस्नानफलम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माघ-स्नान-फल (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: ‘माघे स्नानस्य फलम्’

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अव्यय-प्रयोगः (adverb) ‘thereafter/from that’

• जम्बृद्वीपस्य: of Jambṛdvīpa
• जम्बृद्वीपस्य: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जम्बृ-द्वीप (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (m.), षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः: ‘जम्बृ-नामकः द्वीपः’

• तीर्थानाम्: of the sacred places
• तीर्थानाम्: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (n.), षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• माहात्म्यम्: the greatness (glory)
• माहात्म्यम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माहात्म्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• पापनाशनम्: destroying sins
• पापनाशनम्: विशेषण (Adjectival predicate)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पाप-नाशन (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः: ‘पापस्य नाशनम्’—विशेषणरूपेण माहात्म्यस्य

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Narada Purana’s section-outline in an anukramanika style)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Kārtika-vrata; Māgha-snāna (seasonal observance)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Jambudvipa

FAQs

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

It functions as a topic-marker, highlighting that observing Kārtika-vrata, performing Māgha-snāna, and honoring Jambūdvīpa’s tīrthas are presented as powerful dharmic practices that purify and destroy sin (pāpa).

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

By pointing to vrata, sacred bathing, and tīrtha-mahātmya, it frames devotion as lived practice—regular vows and holy observances that support remembrance of the Divine and inner purification.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual timing and observance are implied: month-based disciplines (Kārtika, Māgha) reflect calendrical and dharmic procedure (kalā/saṃvatsara reckoning used in ritual practice), guiding when specific snāna and vrata are traditionally undertaken.