Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 99

Dharmānukathana

Narration of Dharma

Devanagari script

भटानां जलदो याति सूर्यलोकमनुत्तमम् । विद्यादानेन सायुज्यं माधवस्य व्रजेन्नरः ॥ ९९ ॥

Transliteration

bhaṭānāṃ jalado yāti sūryalokamanuttamam | vidyādānena sāyujyaṃ mādhavasya vrajennaraḥ || 99 ||

Translation

En donnant de l’eau à ceux qui en manquent, on atteint l’incomparable monde du Soleil (Sūrya-loka) ; mais en offrant la connaissance sacrée, l’homme parvient au sāyujya, l’union avec Mādhava (Viṣṇu).

Word by Word

• भटानाम्: of soldiers/warriors
• भटानाम्: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; सम्बन्ध (genitive)

• जलदः: the rain-giver (cloud)
• जलदः: कर्ता (Kartā)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल + द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्तृ; समासः = जलं ददाति इति (cloud/rain-giver)

• याति: goes
• याति: क्रिया (Kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• सूर्यलोकम्: the world of the Sun
• सूर्यलोकम्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूर्य + लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म (object of motion); समासः = सूर्यस्य लोकः

• अनुत्तमम्: unsurpassed, excellent
• अनुत्तमम्: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनुत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifying सूर्यलोकम्)

• विद्यादानेन: by the gift of knowledge
• विद्यादानेन: करण (Karaṇa)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्या + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), एकवचन; करण (instrumental); समासः = विद्यायाः दानम्

• सायुज्यम्: union/identity (with)
• सायुज्यम्: कर्म (Karma)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सायुज्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्म (object attained)

• माधवस्य: of Mādhava (Vishnu/Krishna)
• माधवस्य: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माधव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), एकवचन; सम्बन्ध (genitive)

• व्रजेत्: should go/attain
• व्रजेत्: क्रिया (Kriyā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: व्रज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• नरः: a man/person
• नरः: कर्ता (Kartā)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्तृ

Speaker

Narada (teaching in the Narada Purana dialogue context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Characters & Entities

• Surya
• Madhava
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It ranks charitable acts by their spiritual fruit: water-giving yields exalted heavenly merit (Sūrya-loka), while gifting sacred knowledge leads toward liberation through sāyujya with Mādhava (Viṣṇu).

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

By naming Mādhava as the highest destination of vidyā-dāna, it frames knowledge as a devotion-centered offering that culminates in intimate union with Viṣṇu, surpassing even celestial rewards.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes vidyā-dāna—supporting transmission of śāstric learning (such as Vyākaraṇa, Chandas, and other Vedāṅgas) as a supremely meritorious act when offered in a dharmic, Viṣṇu-oriented spirit.