Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 178

The Description of the Skanda Purāṇa’s Anukramaṇī

Index/Summary

Devanagari script

ऋषितीर्थस्य नंदार्कत्रितकूपस्य कीर्तनम् । ससोपानस्य पर्णार्कन्यंकुमत्योः कथाद्भुता ॥ १७८ ॥

Transliteration

ṛṣitīrthasya naṃdārkatritakūpasya kīrtanam | sasopānasya parṇārkanyaṃkumatyoḥ kathādbhutā || 178 ||

Translation

ഇതിൽ ഋഷിതീർത്ഥത്തിന്റെ കഥ, നന്ദാർകയുടെ മൂന്ന് കൂപങ്ങളുടെ മഹിമാകീർത്തനം, കൂടാതെ സ-സോപാന, പർണാർക, ന്യങ്കുമതി എന്നിവയെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള അത്ഭുതകഥയും ഉൾക്കൊള്ളുന്നു।

Word by Word

• ऋषि-तीर्थस्य: of the sage’s ford (Ṛṣi-tīrtha)
• ऋषि-तीर्थस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक) + तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुषः—‘ऋषेः तीर्थम्’

• नन्द-अर्क-त्रित-कूपस्य: of the well called Nandārka-trita
• नन्द-अर्क-त्रित-कूपस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नन्द (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्क (प्रातिपदिक) + त्रित (प्रातिपदिक) + कूप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुष-समास-समूहः—नन्दार्क-त्रित-नामकस्य कूपस्य

• कीर्तनम्: the narration/recital
• कीर्तनम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कीर्तन (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-भाववाचक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nominative/Accusative 1st/2nd), एकवचन (Singular)

• स-सोपानस्य: of the one with steps (having a staircase)
• स-सोपानस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थ ‘with’) + सोपान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन (Singular); अव्ययीभावः—‘सोपानसहितः’ (with steps)

• पर्ण-अर्क-न्यङ्कुमत्योः: of Parṇārkā and Nyaṅkumatī
• पर्ण-अर्क-न्यङ्कुमत्योः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्क (प्रातिपदिक) + न्यङ्कुमती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), द्विवचन (Dual); द्वन्द्वः—‘पर्णार्का च न्यङ्कुमती च’ (two rivers/places)

• कथा-अद्भुता: a wondrous account
• कथा-अद्भुता: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कथा (प्रातिपदिक) + अद्भुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); कर्मधारयः—‘अद्भुता कथा’

Speaker

Suta (Anukramanika-style synopsis within the Narada Purana’s Fourth Pada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta (wonder)

Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Characters & Entities

• Ṛṣi-tīrtha
• Nandārka
• Tritakūpa (three wells)
• Sa-sopāna
• Parṇārka
• Nyaṅkumatī

FAQs

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

This verse functions as an Anukramanika (index) line, signaling that the text preserves tirtha-glorifications and wondrous sacred narratives—implying that remembering and narrating (kīrtana) such holy places is itself a meritorious act aligned with Purāṇic dharma.

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

Bhakti is indicated indirectly through “kīrtanam” (glorification): Purāṇas treat faithful narration/chanting of sacred histories and holy places as devotional remembrance (smaraṇa) and praise (kīrtana), which supports a Vishnu-oriented devotional culture even when the verse is primarily a contents-summary.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (Śikṣā, Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, etc.) is taught in this line; instead, it reflects Purāṇic cataloging practice—an organized synopsis of topics (tīrtha-mahātmya and adbhuta-kathā) for study, recitation, and ritual pilgrimage planning.