Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

Nirukta, Phonetic Variants, and Vedic Dhātu–Svara Taxonomy

Devanagari script

धिण्यादयोऽनुदात्तेतो दश प्रोक्ता हि शाब्दिकैः । अणादयोप्युदात्तेतः सप्तविंशतिधातवः ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

dhiṇyādayo'nudātteto daśa proktā hi śābdikaiḥ | aṇādayopyudāttetaḥ saptaviṃśatidhātavaḥ || 23 ||

Translation

Les grammairiens (śābdika) déclarent que dix racines verbales commençant par « dhiṇya- » portent l’anudātta (accent bas). De même, ils affirment que vingt-sept racines verbales commençant par « aṇa- » portent l’udātta (accent élevé).

Word by Word

• धिण्यादयः: the group beginning with dhiṇya-
• धिण्यादयः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धिण्य + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (धिण्यस्य आदयः)

• अनुदात्त-इताः: having anudātta as it-marker
• अनुदात्त-इताः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनुदात्त (प्रातिपदिक) + इ (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; अनुदात्त-इट् युक्ताः

• दश: ten
• दश: Visheshya-Sankhya (संख्या/Count)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्याशब्दः; प्रथमा, एकवचन (संख्यावाचकः)

• प्रोक्ताः: are said
• प्रोक्ताः: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; कर्मणि—‘कथिताः’

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात/पदार्थसूचक (particle), अव्यय; अर्थः—‘नूनम्/खलु’

• शाब्दिकैः: by grammarians/linguists
• शाब्दिकैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शाब्दिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; करण—‘शाब्दिकैः’

• अणादयः: the group beginning with aṇ-
• अणादयः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अण + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अणस्य आदयः)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अव्यय; समुच्चय/अपि-अर्थः

• उदात्त-इताः: having udātta as it-marker
• उदात्त-इताः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उदात्त (प्रातिपदिक) + इ (धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; उदात्त-इट् युक्ताः

• सप्तविंशति-धातवः: twenty-seven roots
• सप्तविंशति-धातवः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सप्तविंशति (प्रातिपदिक) + धातु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सप्तविंशतेः धातवः)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in instruction to Narada, within a technical exposition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that precise Vedic sound—especially correct accent (udātta/anudātta)—is a disciplined limb of sacred learning; such accuracy safeguards the integrity of mantra-recitation that supports dharma and ultimately mokṣa.

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

Indirectly: devotion in the Purāṇic tradition is strengthened by faithful transmission of sacred speech. Correct pronunciation and accent protect the intended meaning of hymns and names of the Lord used in devotional practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Śikṣā and Vyākaraṇa: the verse notes technical classification of dhātus (verbal roots) according to accent markers (udātta vs. anudātta), a practical aid for correct recitation and grammatical derivation.