Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 138

The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release

Devanagari script

सर्वभूतदयायुक्ता धर्ममार्गप्रवर्तिनः । प्रयान्ति परमं स्थानं गुरुपूजापरायणाः ॥ ३८ ॥

Transliteration

sarvabhūtadayāyuktā dharmamārgapravartinaḥ | prayānti paramaṃ sthānaṃ gurupūjāparāyaṇāḥ || 38 ||

Translation

一切の生きとし生けるものに慈悲を具え、他者をダルマの道へと導き、師（グル）への礼拝に専心する者は、至上の住処に到達する。

Word by Word

• सर्वभूतदयायुक्ताः: endowed with compassion for all beings
• सर्वभूतदयायुक्ताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व-भूत-दया-युक्त (प्रातिपदिक; युक्त = √युज् (धातु) क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण (past passive participle)

• धर्ममार्गप्रवर्तिनः: promoters of the path of dharma
• धर्ममार्गप्रवर्तिनः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म-मार्ग-प्रवर्तिन् (प्रातिपदिक; प्रवर्तिन् from √वृत्/√वर्त् (धातु) with प्र- उपसर्ग)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; -इन् अन्त विशेषण

• प्रयान्ति: go/attain
• प्रयान्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-या (√या धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• परमम्: supreme
• परमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण

• स्थानम्: abode/place
• स्थानम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• गुरुपूजापरायणाः: devoted to worship of the guru
• गुरुपूजापरायणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गुरु-पूजा-परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन; विशेषण

Speaker

Narada (instructional discourse within Purva Bhaga; commonly framed in dialogue with Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Guru
• Dharma

FAQs

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

It links liberation (attaining the Supreme Abode) to three pillars: universal compassion, actively establishing others in dharma, and unwavering reverence/service to one’s Guru.

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

By emphasizing guru-pūjā-parāyaṇatā (total dedication to the Guru), it presents bhakti as lived reverence and service that matures into divine attainment, supported by compassion and dharmic conduct.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught directly; the practical takeaway is dharma-pravartana—right conduct and teaching aligned with śāstra under the Guru’s guidance (the foundation for applying disciplines like ritual practice correctly).