Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 40

Sṛṣṭi-varṇana, Bhārata-khaṇḍa-mahātmya, and Jagad-bhūgola

Creation, Glory of Bhārata, and World Geography

Devanagari script

कुलाचलान्नदीश्चासौ तत्तल्लोकनिवासिनाम् । वर्त्तनादीनि सर्वाणि यथायोग्यंमकल्पयत् ॥ ४० ॥

Transliteration

kulācalānnadīścāsau tattallokanivāsinām | varttanādīni sarvāṇi yathāyogyaṃmakalpayat || 40 ||

Translation

Il ordonna aussi les chaînes de montagnes et les fleuves; et pour les habitants de chaque monde, Il institua convenablement toutes les règles de conduite et les modes de vie, selon ce qui convenait.

Word by Word

• kulācalān: principal mountains (Kula mountains)
• kulācalān: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kulācala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• nadīḥ: rivers
• nadīḥ: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nadī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• asau: he (that one)
• asau: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: adas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• tattallokanivāsinām: of the inhabitants of those respective worlds
• tattallokanivāsinām: Sambandha (Relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tattallokanivāsin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural

• varttanādīni: livelihoods etc.
• varttanādīni: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: varttanādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• sarvāṇi: all
• sarvāṇi: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural

• yathāyogyam: suitably/as appropriate
• yathāyogyam: Kriya-visheshana (Adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yathāyogyam (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverbial Compound

• akalpayat: arranged/ordained
• akalpayat: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kḷp (धातु)
• Form: Lang (Imperfect Past), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha, Singular

Speaker

Suta (narrating the cosmogonic account as received in the Purana)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It presents creation as purposeful order: nature (mountains and rivers) and human/social dharma (modes of conduct) are both established in harmony, each suited to its proper place.

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

Indirectly, it frames the world as divinely arranged; recognizing that order supports reverence and trust in the Lord’s governance, which becomes a foundation for devotional living within one’s rightful duties.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse points to dharma as rule-governed conduct (vṛtti/ācāra) varying by context—an idea later systematized through śāstra disciplines (especially Vyākaraṇa and Kalpa in defining correct usage and ritual/social procedure).