Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 148

Jyotiṣa-saṅgraha: Varga-vibhāga, Bala-nirṇaya, Garbha-phala, Āyuḥ-gaṇanā

Devanagari script

श्रेष्ठं शुभतरं वाच्यं विपरीतगतस्य तु । नेष्टमुत्कटमिष्टं तु स्वल्पं ज्ञात्वा बलं वदेत् ॥ १४८ ॥

Transliteration

śreṣṭhaṃ śubhataraṃ vācyaṃ viparītagatasya tu | neṣṭamutkaṭamiṣṭaṃ tu svalpaṃ jñātvā balaṃ vadet || 148 ||

Translation

道を踏み外した者には、最も善く最も吉祥なる言葉を語るべきである。不快で苛烈な言葉を吐いてはならない。己の力の乏しさを知り、柔らかく節度をもって語れ。

Word by Word

• śreṣṭham: the best (result)
• śreṣṭham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śreṣṭha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; used predicatively/objectively

• śubha-taram: more auspicious
• śubha-taram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तऱप्-प्रत्यय (comparative)

• vācyam: should be stated
• vācyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vac (धातु √vac) + ya (कृदन्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; भाव्य/विधेय (gerundive) — ‘to be said/should be stated’

• viparīta-gatasya: of one that has gone to the opposite (position)
• viparīta-gatasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viparīta (प्रातिपदिक) + gata (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √gam)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष — ‘विपरीतं गतः’ (gone/placed in reverse); genitive dependent on (tasya implied)

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: विरोध/विशेषण-अव्यय (particle: but/indeed)

• na-iṣṭam: undesirable (result)
• na-iṣṭam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: iṣṭa (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √iṣ)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; नञ्-समास/निषेध (na + iṣṭa)

• utkaṭam: intense/strong
• utkaṭam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: utkaṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; qualifies iṣṭam

• iṣṭam: desirable (result)
• iṣṭam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: iṣṭa (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √iṣ)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• tu: however/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: विशेषण-अव्यय (particle)

• svalpam: small/slight
• svalpam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svalpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; qualifies balaṃ or iṣṭam (context: small)

• jñātvā: having known
• jñātvā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jñā (धातु √jñā)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive): ‘having known’

• balam: strength
• balam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd case), एकवचन

• vadet: should state/say
• vadet: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vad (धातु √vad)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), प्रथमपुरुष? actually 3rd person singular (प्रथमपुरुष एकवचन) parasmaipada: ‘should say’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-Dharma discourse)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

FAQs

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

It frames speech as a dharmic discipline: even when correcting someone who has strayed, one should choose auspicious, uplifting words and avoid harmful harshness—purifying the mind and supporting the path toward moksha.

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

Bhakti is sustained by compassion and non-injury; gentle, auspicious speech reflects a sattvic heart and prevents pride or anger from entering one’s conduct—making one’s counsel an offering rather than a weapon.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It aligns with Shiksha (discipline of proper utterance) and Nīti: speech should be measured, non-harsh, and context-aware—especially when advising others—so that instruction becomes effective and dharmic.