Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 70

Janaka’s Quest for Liberation; Pañcaśikha’s Sāṅkhya on Renunciation, Elements, Guṇas, and the Deathless State

Devanagari script

हस्तौ कर्मेद्रियं ज्ञेयमथ पादौ गतींद्रियम् । प्रजनान दयोमेढ्रो विसर्गो पायुरिंद्रियम् ॥ ७० ॥

Transliteration

hastau karmedriyaṃ jñeyamatha pādau gatīṃdriyam | prajanāna dayomeḍhro visargo pāyuriṃdriyam || 70 ||

Translation

Sache que les mains sont l’organe de l’action; de même, les pieds sont l’organe du déplacement. Pour la procréation, l’organe générateur est l’instrument; et pour l’élimination, l’anus est l’organe (de l’action).

Word by Word

• हस्तौ: the two hands
• हस्तौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हस्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), द्विवचन (Dual)

• कर्मेन्द्रियम्: organ of action
• कर्मेन्द्रियम्: Pradhana (प्रधान/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्म + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd Nom/Acc), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (कर्मणः इन्द्रियम्)

• ज्ञेयम्: is to be known
• ज्ञेयम्: Vidhi (विधेय/आदेश)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु) → ज्ञेय (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कृदन्त (भाव्य/gerundive, -य), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘to be known’

• अथ: then/next
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/अनुक्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनुक्रम/समुच्चयार्थक (then/next)

• पादौ: the two feet
• पादौ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, द्विवचन

• गतीन्द्रियम्: organ of locomotion
• गतीन्द्रियम्: Pradhana (प्रधान/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गति + इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (गतेः इन्द्रियम्)

• प्रजनान्: the generative (organ)
• प्रजनान्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रजनन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; वैकल्पिक/वैदिक रूप (प्रजननः/प्रजनान्)

• दयो: the giver (organ)
• दयो: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द (धातु) → दय (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कृदन्त (कर्तरि, -य), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; वैदिक/छान्दस रूप (दाता/दयो)

• मेढ्रः: penis
• मेढ्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मेढ्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• विसर्गः: excretion/evacuation
• विसर्गः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विसर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पायुः: anus
• पायुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पायु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• इन्द्रियम्: sense-organ
• इन्द्रियम्: Pradhana (प्रधान/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इन्द्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in Moksha-dharma context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It classifies key karmendriyas (organs of action) and their functions, supporting discernment (viveka) between the Self and the body—an essential step in Moksha-dharma and liberation-oriented contemplation.

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

By clearly identifying bodily functions as instruments, it encourages non-identification with the body; this steadies the mind for single-pointed devotion, where actions and senses are restrained and redirected toward worship and remembrance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

This verse is primarily adhyatmika/sāṅkhya-style anatomy of faculties rather than a Vedanga topic; practically, it aids disciplined conduct (yama/niyama) by mapping which actions arise from which organs.