Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 87

The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release

Devanagari script

मन्त्रोपदेशव्याख्याख्याकृद्वेदसदंहहृत्तथा । व्रतोपदेशकश्चैव भयत्रातान्नदो हि च ॥ ८७ ॥

Transliteration

mantropadeśavyākhyākhyākṛdvedasadaṃhahṛttathā | vratopadeśakaścaiva bhayatrātānnado hi ca || 87 ||

Translation

Il donne l’enseignement des mantras et leur explication, et accorde une renommée sacrée ; il efface les fautes même de ceux qui se vouent au Veda ; il enseigne aussi les vœux (vrata), délivre de la peur et, en vérité, dispense la nourriture.

Word by Word

• मन्त्र-उपदेश-व्याख्या-आख्य-कृत्: one who explains and narrates mantra-instructions
• मन्त्र-उपदेश-व्याख्या-आख्य-कृत्: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + उपदेश (प्रातिपदिक) + व्याख्या (प्रातिपदिक) + आख्य (प्रातिपदिक) + कृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः: ‘मन्त्रस्य उपदेशस्य व्याख्यायाः आख्यायाः कर्ता’ (one who explains/expounds mantra-instructions)

• वेद-सदंह-हृत्: remover of faults/sins regarding the Veda
• वेद-सदंह-हृत्: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + सदंह (प्रातिपदिक) + हृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुषः: ‘वेदस्य सदंहं (दोषम्/पापम्) हरति इति’

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Avyaya (अव्यय/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb); ‘also/likewise’

• व्रत-उपदेशकः: instructor of vows
• व्रत-उपदेशकः: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक) + उपदेशक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुषः: ‘व्रतस्य उपदेशकः’

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (अव्यय/Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-निपात (conjunction)

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Avyaya (अव्यय/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-निपात (emphatic particle)

• भय-त्राता: protector from fear
• भय-त्राता: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक) + त्रातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुषः: ‘भयात् त्राता’ (protector from fear)

• अन्न-दः: giver of food
• अन्न-दः: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक) + द (प्रातिपदिक; from √दा ‘to give’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुषः: ‘अन्नं ददाति इति’

• हि: indeed
• हि: Avyaya (अव्यय/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अव्यय; emphasis/indeed

• च: and
• च: Avyaya (अव्यय/Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-निपात (conjunction)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It lists divine functions central to dharma: imparting mantras with proper explanation, removing sin, teaching vratas, granting protection from fear, and sustaining life through food—showing that spiritual progress is supported both inwardly (purification/knowledge) and outwardly (protection/sustenance).

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

By portraying the Lord as the compassionate guide who gives mantra-upadeśa and vrata-upadeśa and removes sin and fear, the verse frames devotion as a lived discipline: receiving sacred instruction, observing vows, and relying on divine refuge.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes correct mantra-upadeśa together with vyākhyā (authoritative explanation), pointing to the practical need for proper instruction and interpretive tradition in Vedic practice, alongside vrata-vidhi (rules of observances).