Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 68

Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline

Devanagari script

विशत्याशु पशुभ्यश्च कृष्यादानरतिः शुचिः । वेदाध्ययनसंपन्नः स वैश्य इति संज्ञितः ॥ ६८ ॥

Transliteration

viśatyāśu paśubhyaśca kṛṣyādānaratiḥ śuciḥ | vedādhyayanasaṃpannaḥ sa vaiśya iti saṃjñitaḥ || 68 ||

Translation

Ia yang segera tekun mengurus ternak dan sejenisnya, bergembira dalam pertanian serta dana (derma), suci dalam laku, dan terampil dalam pembelajaran Weda—dialah yang disebut vaiśya.

Word by Word

• विशति: enters, engages in
• विशति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: विश् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• आशु: quickly, readily
• आशु: Kriya-vishesana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आशु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• पशुभ्यः: from/with regard to cattle
• पशुभ्यः: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पशु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative) बहुवचन; (also can function as dative/instrumental in form, but here ablative 'from/with respect to cattle')

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• कृष्यादानरतिः: devotion to farming and acquisition
• कृष्यादानरतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृषि + आदान + रति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—कृषौ आदाने च रतिः (समाहार/सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष sense: devoted to agriculture and acquisition)

• शुचिः: pure, clean
• शुचिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुचि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वेदाध्ययनसंपन्नः: accomplished in Vedic study
• वेदाध्ययनसंपन्नः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेद + अध्ययन + संपन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—वेदाध्ययने संपन्नः (सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष; accomplished in Vedic study)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• वैश्यः: a Vaishya
• वैश्यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरणार्थक (quotative)

• संज्ञितः: is designated
• संज्ञितः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + ज्ञा (धातु) + त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'named/termed'

Speaker

Narada (teaching in dialogue with Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It defines Vaiśya-lakṣaṇa (the marks of a Vaiśya) by joining livelihood with purity, charity, and Vedic learning—showing that economic activity becomes dharmic when aligned with śauca (purity) and adhyayana (study).

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

While not explicitly naming bhakti, it supports a bhakti-friendly life by prescribing śuci (purity) and dāna (generosity), which are classic supportive virtues for devotion and worship-oriented living in Purāṇic dharma.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes vedādhyayana (Vedic study/recitation). In practice this implies competence in Śikṣā (phonetics) and Vyākaraṇa (grammar) to preserve correct chanting and understanding, even while pursuing agriculture and charitable giving.