Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 61

Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline

Devanagari script

ब्रह्म धारयतां नित्यं व्रतानि नियमांस्तथा । ब्रह्म चैव पुरा सृष्टं येन जानंति तद्विदः ॥ ६१ ॥

Transliteration

brahma dhārayatāṃ nityaṃ vratāni niyamāṃstathā | brahma caiva purā sṛṣṭaṃ yena jānaṃti tadvidaḥ || 61 ||

Translation

നിത്യം ബ്രഹ്മത്തെ ധരിക്കുന്നവര്‍ക്ക് വ്രതങ്ങളും നിയമങ്ങളും എപ്പോഴും ആചരിക്കേണ്ടതാണ്; കാരണം ആദിയില്‍ സൃഷ്ടിക്കപ്പെട്ടത് ബ്രഹ്മം തന്നെയായി, അതിനാല്‍ തത്ത്വവിദര്‍ അറിയുന്നു।

Word by Word

• brahma: Brahman / the Veda (sacred knowledge)
• brahma: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• dhārayatām: let (them) uphold/maintain
• dhārayatām: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: dhṛ (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (लोट्/Imperative), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• nityam: always
• nityam: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverb)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nitya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverbial accusative (क्रियाविशेषण)

• vratāni: vows
• vratāni: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vrata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• niyamān: observances/restraints
• niyamān: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niyama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• tathā: likewise/also
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (समुच्चय/प्रकार)

• brahma: Brahman / the Veda
• brahma: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), conjunction (समुच्चय)

• eva: indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), emphatic particle (अवधारण)

• purā: formerly
• purā: Kāla (काल/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: purā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), temporal adverb (कालवाचक)

• sṛṣṭam: was created
• sṛṣṭam: Kriyā (क्रिया/predicative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sṛj (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त), Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन) — predicate with brahma

• yena: by which
• yena: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• jānanti: know
• jānanti: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: jñā (धातु)
• Form: Lat-lakāra (लट्/Present), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• tad-vidaḥ: knowers of that
• tad-vidaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + vid (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन); उपपद-तत्पुरुषः (tad veda iti)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: general vrata (unspecified)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Brahman

FAQs

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

It links liberation-oriented knowledge (Brahma-jnana) with steady ethical-spiritual practice: vows and disciplines stabilize the mind so realization of Brahman becomes possible.

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

While framed in Brahma-jnana language, it supports Bhakti in practice: vrata and niyama purify conduct and attention, making sustained remembrance and worship of the Supreme easier and more fruitful.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual discipline is implied rather than a specific Vedanga: the verse emphasizes regulated observance (vrata/niyama) as the practical framework that complements higher knowledge, akin to kalpa-based ritual order and daily conduct rules.