Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 87

Gṛhastha-nitya-karman: Śauca, Sandhyā-vidhi, Pañca-yajña, and Āśrama-krama

Devanagari script

फलमूलाशनो नित्यं स्वाध्यायनिरतास्तथा । दयावान्सर्वभूतेषु नारायणपरायणः ॥ ८७ ॥

Transliteration

phalamūlāśano nityaṃ svādhyāyaniratāstathā | dayāvānsarvabhūteṣu nārāyaṇaparāyaṇaḥ || 87 ||

Translation

彼は常に果実と根を食として生き、スヴァーディヤーヤ（聖なる学習）に励み、あらゆる生きものに慈悲を抱き、ただナーラーヤナ（Nārāyaṇa）に全身全霊を捧げる。

Word by Word

• फल-मूल-आशनः: eating fruits and roots
• फल-मूल-आशनः: कर्तृ-विशेषण (Agent qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक) + मूल (प्रातिपदिक) + आशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (1st/nominative), एकवचन (singular); इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (copulative) in first members: फल + मूल; तत्पुरुष-भावः with आशनः: फलमूलयोः आशनः = one whose food is fruits and roots

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: काल (Temporal adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् प्रयोगः (adverbial accusative), क्रियाविशेषण: always

• स्वाध्याय-निरताः: engaged in Vedic study
• स्वाध्याय-निरताः: कर्तृ-विशेषण (Agent qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वाध्याय (प्रातिपदिक) + निरत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (1st/nominative), बहुवचन (plural) (पाठानुसारं; एकवचनार्थे ‘निरतः’ अपेक्षितः); तत्पुरुषः: स्वाध्याये निरताः = engaged in self-study

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: सम्बन्ध (connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Avyaya), क्रियाविशेषण/समुच्चयार्थ (thus/likewise)

• दयावान्: compassionate
• दयावान्: कर्तृ-विशेषण (Agent qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दयावत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (1st/nominative), एकवचन (singular); मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त (possessive adjective): दया अस्ति यस्य

• सर्व-भूतेषु: toward/in all beings
• सर्व-भूतेषु: अधिकरण (Locative/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + भूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), सप्तमी (7th/locative), बहुवचन (plural); तत्पुरुषः: सर्वाणि भूतानि = all beings

• नारायण-परायणः: devoted to Nārāyaṇa
• नारायण-परायणः: कर्तृ-विशेषण (Agent qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नारायण (प्रातिपदिक) + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा (1st/nominative), एकवचन (singular); तत्पुरुषः: नारायणे परायणः = wholly devoted to Nārāyaṇa

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Characters & Entities

• Narayana

FAQs

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

It outlines the marks of a sādhaka whose life is purified by simplicity (fruit-and-root diet), disciplined svādhyāya, universal compassion, and single-pointed refuge in Nārāyaṇa.

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

Bhakti is presented as parāyaṇatā—making Nārāyaṇa the sole aim and support—supported by ethical compassion and steady spiritual practice rather than mere sentiment.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Svādhyāya is emphasized as a practical discipline: regular recitation and study aligned with correct pronunciation and textual learning (supported by Śikṣā and Vyākaraṇa in practice), forming the daily backbone of spiritual life.