Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 137

Vāmana’s Advent, Aditi’s Hymn, Bali’s Gift, and the Mahatmya of Bhū-dāna

Devanagari script

भूमिदानं महादानमतिदानं प्रकीर्त्तितम् । सर्वपापप्रशमनमपवर्गफलप्रदम् ॥ ३७ ॥

Transliteration

bhūmidānaṃ mahādānamatidānaṃ prakīrttitam | sarvapāpapraśamanamapavargaphalapradam || 37 ||

Translation

土地の布施は大施と称えられ、まことに比類なき施しである。あらゆる罪を鎮め、解脱（モークシャ）の果を授ける。

Word by Word

• bhūmi-dānam: gift of land
• bhūmi-dānam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhūmi + dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nominative/Accusative), एकवचन (singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ‘bhūmeḥ dānam’

• mahā-dānam: a great gift
• mahā-dānam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā + dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः: ‘mahat dānam’

• ati-dānam: an exceedingly great gift
• ati-dānam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ati + dāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; उपसर्गपूर्वक-समास/कर्मधारयार्थः: ‘atiśaya-yuktam dānam’

• prakīrttitam: is proclaimed
• prakīrttitam: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + √kīrt (कीर्त्) (धातु)
• Form: कर्मणि क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘is proclaimed/declared’

• sarva-pāpa-praśamanam: the pacification of all sins
• sarva-pāpa-praśamanam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva + pāpa + praśamana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः: ‘sarveṣāṃ pāpānāṃ praśamanam’

• apavarga-phala-pradam: bestowing the fruit of liberation
• apavarga-phala-pradam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: apavarga + phala + prada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: ‘apavargasya phalam pradadāti iti’ (giver of the fruit of liberation)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

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 elevates bhūmi-dāna (donating land) as an exceptionally powerful dharmic act that neutralizes accumulated pāpa and supports the highest aim—apavarga (liberation).

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

While the verse speaks through dāna, its intent aligns with bhakti-centered dharma: offering one’s resources in a spirit of sacred giving purifies the heart, making it fit for devotion and ultimately mokṣa.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual practicality is implied: bhūmi-dāna is a formal dāna governed by dharma-śāstra procedures (proper saṅkalpa, eligibility of recipient, and correct gifting), rather than a specific Vedāṅga topic like jyotiṣa or vyākaraṇa.