Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 51

Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline

Devanagari script

ततः सत्यं च धर्मं च तथा ब्रह्म च शाश्वतम् । आचारं चैव शौचं च स्वर्गाय विदधे प्रभुः ॥ ५१ ॥

Transliteration

tataḥ satyaṃ ca dharmaṃ ca tathā brahma ca śāśvatam | ācāraṃ caiva śaucaṃ ca svargāya vidadhe prabhuḥ || 51 ||

Translation

Ensuite, le Seigneur institua la vérité et le dharma, ainsi que le Brahman éternel; et Il établit la juste conduite (ācāra) et la pureté (śauca) comme voie pour atteindre le ciel (svarga).

Word by Word

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Kāla/Hetu-adhikaraṇa (काल/हेतु-अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: 'then/from that')

• सत्यम्: truth
• सत्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• धर्मम्: dharma/righteousness
• धर्मम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थ (adverb: 'likewise/also')

• ब्रह्म: Veda/sacred knowledge (brahma)
• ब्रह्म: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• शाश्वतम्: eternal
• शाश्वतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शाश्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular); ब्रह्म-विशेषण (qualifies brahma)

• आचारम्: proper conduct
• आचारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• एव: indeed
• एव: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis)

• शौचम्: purity/cleanliness
• शौचम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शौच (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक निपात (conjunction)

• स्वर्गाय: for heaven
• स्वर्गाय: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (Dative/4th), एकवचन (singular)

• विदधे: ordained/established
• विदधे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: धा (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular)

• प्रभुः: the Lord
• प्रभुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (singular)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-Dharma section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Prabhu (the Lord)
• Brahman
• Svarga

FAQs

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

It frames truth (satya), dharma, purity (śauca), and right conduct (ācāra) as divinely instituted foundations of spiritual life, linking ethical discipline to higher worlds (svarga) and pointing beyond them to the eternal Brahman.

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

While not naming bhakti directly, it sets the moral and purificatory base that supports devotion: truthful speech, dharmic living, clean habits, and disciplined conduct make the heart fit for steady worship and remembrance of the Lord.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse most directly echoes Kalpa/Dharma practice through ācāra (codes of conduct) and śauca (purity disciplines), which are essential for correct observance of rites, vows (vrata), and daily religious duties.