Shloka 4

Tithi-vicara

Determination of Tithi for Fasts, Parana, and Pitri Rites

Devanagari script

पुनः पप्रच्छुरमलं सूतं पौराणिकं नृप । अष्टादश पुराणानि भवान् जानाति मानद ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

punaḥ papracchuramalaṃ sūtaṃ paurāṇikaṃ nṛpa | aṣṭādaśa purāṇāni bhavān jānāti mānada || 4 ||

Translation

ಹೇ ರಾಜನೇ! ಅವರು ಮತ್ತೆ ನಿರ್ಮಲನಾದ ಪೌರಾಣಿಕ ಸೂತನನ್ನು ಪ್ರಶ್ನಿಸಿದರು—‘ಹೇ ಮಾನ್ಯರೇ, ನೀವು ಅಷ್ಟಾದಶ ಪುರಾಣಗಳನ್ನು ತಿಳಿದವರಲ್ಲವೇ?’ ॥೪॥

Word by Word

• punaḥ: again
• punaḥ: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb 'again'

• papracchuḥ: asked
• papracchuḥ: Kriya (क्रिया/main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√prach (धातु) (प्रच्छ्)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन); parasmaipada

• amalam: spotless; pure
• amalam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: amala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying 'sūtam'

• sūtam: Sūta
• sūtam: Karma (कर्म/person asked)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sūta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• paurāṇikam: Purāṇic; knower of Purāṇas
• paurāṇikam: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paurāṇika (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीyaa), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying 'sūtam' ('versed in Purāṇas')

• nṛpa: O king
• nṛpa: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन); address

• aṣṭādaśa: eighteen
• aṣṭādaśa: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aṣṭādaśa (संख्याशब्द-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Numeral (संख्या), used adjectivally; indeclinable-like in form here; qualifies 'purāṇāni'; dvigu formation 'eighteen'

• purāṇāni: Purāṇas
• purāṇāni: Karma (कर्म/object of 'jānāti')
• Type: Noun
• Root: purāṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• bhavān: you (honored sir)
• bhavān: Karta (कर्ता/subject of 'jānāti')
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhavat (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम-प्राय)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); honorific 2nd-person pronoun usage

• jānāti: knows
• jānāti: Kriya (क्रिया/main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jñā (धातु) (ज्ञा)
• Form: Present (लट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन); parasmaipada

• mānada: O giver of honor
• mānada: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mānada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन); epithet 'giver of honor/respect'

Speaker

Suta (being addressed by the sages; narrative frame addressed to the King)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"shanta","secondary_rasa":"adbhuta","emotional_journey":"Calm curiosity rises into wonder at encyclopedic scope: the sages probe Sūta’s mastery of the eighteen Purāṇas."}

Characters & Entities

• Suta

FAQs

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

It establishes scriptural authority and the proper method of learning—humble inquiry directed to a qualified paurāṇika (Sūta), preparing the listener for an authentic account of Purāṇic dharma and sacred tradition.

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

Indirectly, it shows that bhakti and dharma are received through śravaṇa (hearing) from reliable transmitters; the verse sets the stage for devotional teachings by grounding them in a trusted Purāṇic lineage.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse highlights the discipline of textual tradition and classification—recognizing the canon of “aṣṭādaśa purāṇāni”; while not naming a Vedāṅga directly, it reflects the importance of correct transmission and authoritative recitation central to śāstra study.