Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 48

Śreyas and Paramārtha: The Ribhu–Nidāgha Teaching on Non-Dual Self

Advaita

Devanagari script

प्रसाधितवती तद्वै भर्तुर्वचनगौरवात् । न भुक्तवंतमिच्छातो मिष्टमन्नं महामुनिम् ॥ ४८ ॥

Transliteration

prasādhitavatī tadvai bharturvacanagauravāt | na bhuktavaṃtamicchāto miṣṭamannaṃ mahāmunim || 48 ||

Translation

Par respect pour la parole de son époux, elle le prépara en vérité. Pourtant, elle ne souhaitait pas nourrir le grand muni de mets sucrés tant qu’il n’avait pas encore mangé.

Word by Word

• प्रसाधितवती: she prepared
• प्रसाधितवती: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र√साध् (धातु) + क्तवत् (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्तवत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (perfective active participle); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगः

• तत्: that (food)
• तत्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; पूर्वोक्त ‘मिष्टमन्नम्’ इत्यस्य निर्देशः

• वै: indeed
• वै: सम्बन्ध (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निश्चयार्थक-निपात (emphatic particle)

• भर्तुः: of (her) husband
• भर्तुः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वचन-गौरवात्: due to the weight/importance of (his) words
• वचन-गौरवात्: अपादान (Apādāna/Cause—ablative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक) + गौरव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (वचनस्य गौरवम्); नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (5th/पञ्चमी), एकवचन; हेतौ (cause)

• न: not
• न: सम्बन्ध (Negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध-निपात (negation)

• भुक्तवन्तम्: having eaten
• भुक्तवन्तम्: कर्म (Karma/Object—qualified)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भुज् (धातु) + क्तवत् (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्तवत्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘महामुनिम्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• इच्छातः: from (her) desire / willingly
• इच्छातः: अपादान (Apādāna/Cause—ablative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इच्छा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; हेतौ (from desire/according to wish)

• मिष्टम्-अन्नम्: sweet food
• मिष्टम्-अन्नम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मिष्ट (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• महामुनिम्: the great sage
• महामुनिम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महामुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (महान् मुनिः); पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (narrating within the dialogue tradition to the Sanatkumara brothers)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

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

It highlights dharmic restraint and proper atithi-sevā: even while honoring an instruction, one should uphold propriety and ensure the guest is served in a fitting, respectful manner.

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

Bhakti here is expressed as reverent service—humble, disciplined hospitality toward a mahāmuni—showing that devotion is not only emotion but also careful conduct aligned with dharma.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Primarily kalpa (ritual/procedural discipline) in the form of correct etiquette for food-offering and guest-honoring; it reflects the practical rules of conduct that support dharma.