Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 99

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

Devanagari script

त्रिधानुपवृतिर्हास्यरुचिज्ञः श्लिष्टवाक्तथा । पिंगके श्लक्षणो दीर्घः कफीधीमान्गुरुर्मतः ॥ ९९ ॥

Transliteration

tridhānupavṛtirhāsyarucijñaḥ śliṣṭavāktathā | piṃgake ślakṣaṇo dīrghaḥ kaphīdhīmāngururmataḥ || 99 ||

Translation

行いを三様に調え（三つの道において節する）、笑いの中の悦ばしさを弁え、言葉を緻密に整えて語る者。黄褐の眼を持ち、姿は端正で均整がとれ、背は高く、カパが勝ち、知慧は鋭い—かかる人こそ「グル（導師）」と認められる。

Word by Word

• त्रिधा: in three ways
• त्रिधा: प्रकार (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: त्रिधा (अव्यय) < त्रि + धा
• Form: अव्यय—संख्याविशेषण/प्रकारवाचक (adverb: ‘in three ways’)

• अनुपवृत्तिः: following/continuation, conformity
• अनुपवृत्तिः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनुपवृत्ति (प्रातिपदिक) < अनु + उप + वृत्ति
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; भाववाचक संज्ञा

• हास्यरुचिज्ञः: knowing/liking humor; aware of wit
• हास्यरुचिज्ञः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हास्य-रुचि-ज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक) < हास्य + रुचि + ज्ञ
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण—‘हास्यस्य रुचिं जानाति’/‘हास्यरुचौ ज्ञः’

• श्लिष्टवाक्: having concise/clever speech
• श्लिष्टवाक्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्लिष्टवाच् (प्रातिपदिक) < श्लिष्ट + वाच्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण—‘श्लिष्टा वाक् यस्य’ (witty/compact speech)

• तथा: also
• तथा: सम्बन्ध/प्रकार (Adverbial/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb: ‘also/thus’)

• पिङ्गके: in/with tawny (color/state)
• पिङ्गके: अधिकरण (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पिङ्गक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/सप्तमी), एकवचन; अधिकरण—‘पिङ्गके (वर्णे/अवस्थायाम्)’

• श्लक्षणः: smooth, well-formed
• श्लक्षणः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• दीर्घः: tall/long
• दीर्घः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीर्घ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• कफीधीमान्: kapha-natured and intelligent
• कफीधीमान्: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कफिन्-धीमन् (प्रातिपदिक) < कफिन् + धीमन्
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण—कफ-प्रधानः (कफिन्) तथा धीमान् (intelligent)

• गुरुः: heavy, weighty
• गुरुः: विशेषण (Adjectival qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• मतः: is considered (to be)
• मतः: विधेय-विशेषण (Predicative qualifier/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मत (मन् धातु/√मन् ‘to think’, क्त-कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त—‘considered/held to be’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-dharma dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It defines ‘guru-lakṣaṇa’—the marks of a reliable teacher—emphasizing disciplined conduct, refined speech, and clear intellect, so a seeker can choose guidance that supports mokṣa.

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

Bhakti requires trustworthy instruction; by describing the qualities of a guru (self-regulated, discerning, and articulate), the verse indirectly safeguards the devotee’s path from confusion and misguidance.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The stress on śliṣṭa-vāk (well-formed speech) aligns with Vyākaraṇa and Śikṣā ideals—clarity, correctness, and disciplined expression as practical tools for teaching and transmitting śāstra.