Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

The Outline (Anukramaṇī) of the Viṣṇu Purāṇa

Devanagari script

भूभारहरणं चक्रे परेषां हननादिभिः । अष्टावक्रीयमाख्यानं पंचमोंऽश इतीरितः ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

bhūbhāraharaṇaṃ cakre pareṣāṃ hananādibhiḥ | aṣṭāvakrīyamākhyānaṃ paṃcamoṃ'śa itīritaḥ || 15 ||

Translation

Il soulagea le fardeau de la terre en abattant les forces ennemies et autres actes semblables. Le récit concernant Aṣṭāvakra est proclamé comme la cinquième section.

Word by Word

• भूभारहरणम्: removal of the earth’s burden
• भूभारहरणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भू + भार + हरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); समासः—भूभारेण सह/भूभारस्य हरणम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• चक्रे: did
• चक्रे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (Singular), परस्मैपद-रूपम्; अर्थः—'did/has done'

• परेषाम्: of others (enemies)
• परेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural)

• हननादिभिः: by slaying and other (means)
• हननादिभिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हनन + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural); समासः—हननम् आदि यस्य/येषां तैः (आदि-समासः; व्यवहारतः तत्पुरुष)

• अष्टावक्रीयम्: relating to Aṣṭāvakra
• अष्टावक्रीयम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अष्टावक्र + ईय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषणम्—आख्यानम् विशेषयति ('pertaining to Aṣṭāvakra')

• आख्यानम्: the narrative
• आख्यानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आख्यान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• पञ्चमः: fifth
• पञ्चमः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्चम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); विशेषणम्—अंशः

• अंशः: section/part
• अंशः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अंश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: उद्धरण/समाप्त्यर्थक अव्यय (quotative particle: 'thus')

• ईरितः: is declared
• ईरितः: Kriyā (क्रिया/विधेय)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ईर् (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative), एकवचन; अर्थः—'said/declared'

Speaker

Suta (Anukramanika-style narration summarizing sections)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Aṣṭāvakra

FAQs

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

It frames the Purana’s content as purposeful: divine action that restores dharma (removing the earth’s burden) and liberating wisdom narratives (the Aṣṭāvakra account) arranged systematically as aṃśas for study.

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

Though brief and summary-like, it points to the Lord’s protective role—removing adharma by destroying hostile forces—supporting a bhakti view of God as the upholder of cosmic order and refuge of devotees.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects an anukramaṇikā method—structured cataloging of topics/sections—which aligns with disciplined textual organization and recitation practice (a practical aid for study), rather than a specific Vedanga doctrine.