Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 87

Vyākaraṇa-saṅgraha: Pada–Vibhakti–Kāraka–Lakāra–Samāsa

Devanagari script

बुद्धिभक्षार्थयोः शब्दकर्मकाणां निजेच्छया । प्रयोज्य कर्मण्यन्येषां ण्यंतानां लादयो मताः ॥ ८७ ॥

Transliteration

buddhibhakṣārthayoḥ śabdakarmakāṇāṃ nijecchayā | prayojya karmaṇyanyeṣāṃ ṇyaṃtānāṃ lādayo matāḥ || 87 ||

Translation

「知らしめる」「食べさせる」という義の動詞、また語（言葉）を目的語として取る動詞においては、随意に使役（ṇyanta）を用いてよい。さらに他の動詞についても、他者に行為させる義で用いられる使役形には、la- などの語尾（la-ādi）が適用されると理解される。

Word by Word

• buddhi-bhakṣa-arthayoḥ: of intellect, eating, and meaning/purpose
• buddhi-bhakṣa-arthayoḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: buddhi (प्रातिपदिक) + bhakṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—द्वन्द्व (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व; three members); पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्तिः; द्विवचन-रूप (Genitive dual ending -yoḥ used for the compound set)

• śabda-karmakāṇām: of those whose object is a word/sound (śabda-karmaka roots)
• śabda-karmakāṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śabda (प्रातिपदिक) + karmaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—तत्पुरुष (कर्मधारय: शब्दः कर्म यस्य/शब्दकर्मक); पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्तिः; बहुवचन

• nija-icchayā: by one’s own will
• nija-icchayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nija (प्रातिपदिक) + icchā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः—कर्मधारय (निजा इच्छा); स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्तिः (Instrumental); एकवचन

• prayojya: having caused to be used / having employed
• prayojya: Kriya (क्रिया; पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√yuj (धातु) + ṇic (णिच्) + ya (ल्यप्/य)
• Form: कृदन्तः—ल्यप्/य-प्रत्ययान्त (gerund/absolutive); णिच्-प्रयोजक-भाव (causative base)

• karmaṇi: in the object (karma) sense
• karmaṇi: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्तिः; एकवचन

• anyeṣām: of others
• anyeṣām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्तिः; बहुवचन

• ṇyaṃtānām: of ṇya-ending (causative/derived) forms
• ṇyaṃtānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṇyaṃta (प्रातिपदिक; from ṇic/ṇya derivation class)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्तिः; बहुवचन

• lādayaḥ: la etc. (la-affixes and the like)
• lādayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्तिः; बहुवचन; 'lādi' = la-ādi (beginning with la)

• matāḥ: are considered
• matāḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √man (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: कृदन्तः—क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्तिः; बहुवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

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 presents Vyākaraṇa (grammar) as a Vedāṅga discipline: precise language-use safeguards the correct transmission of Vedic meaning, which supports dharma and ultimately aids mokṣa-oriented study.

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

Indirectly: by clarifying correct verb-forms and meanings, it supports accurate recitation and understanding of sacred texts—an essential foundation for steady Vishnu-bhakti grounded in śāstra.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vyākaraṇa: it highlights the causative formation (ṇyanta/ṇic) and the use of finite verb endings (laṭ etc.) when expressing ‘causing another to do an action’, including optional usage in certain semantic classes.