Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 12

योगस्वरूप-धारणा-समाधि-वर्णनम् (केशिध्वजोपदेशः)

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मचर्यमहिंसां च सत्यास्तेयापरिग्रहान् । सेवेतयोगी निष्कामो योगितां स्वमनो नयन् ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

brahmacaryamahiṃsāṃ ca satyāsteyāparigrahān | sevetayogī niṣkāmo yogitāṃ svamano nayan || 12 ||

Translation

നിഷ്കാമനായ യോഗി ബ്രഹ്മചര്യം, അഹിംസ, സത്യം, അസ്തേയം, അപരിഗ്രഹം എന്നിവ അനുഷ്ഠിച്ച്, തന്റെ മനസ്സിനെ യോഗശാസനത്തിലേക്ക് നയിക്കണം।

Word by Word

• brahmacaryam: celibacy
• brahmacaryam: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahmacarya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• ahiṃsām: non-violence
• ahiṃsām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ahiṃsā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/coordination)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction (समुच्चय-अव्यय)

• satya-asteya-aparigrahān: truthfulness, non-stealing, and non-possessiveness
• satya-asteya-aparigrahān: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: satya (प्रातिपदिक) + asteya (प्रातिपदिक) + aparigraha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Plural; द्वन्द्व-समास (इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व): satyaṃ ca asteyaṃ ca aparigrahaś ca (as a set of observances)

• sevet: should practice/serve
• sevet: Kriyā (क्रिया/verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sev (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद), 3rd person (प्रथम-पुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• yogī: the yogi
• yogī: Karta (कर्ता/Agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yogin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• niṣkāmaḥ: desireless
• niṣkāmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Agent; qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niṣkāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; adjective qualifying yogī

• yogitām: yogic state/discipline
• yogitām: Karma (कर्म/Object/result)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yogitā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• sva-manaḥ: his own mind
• sva-manaḥ: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sva (प्रातिपदिक) + manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; कर्मधारय-समास: ‘svam manaḥ’ = one’s own mind

• nayan: leading/directing
• nayan: Karta (कर्ता/Agent; participial action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √nī (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ/वर्तमान-कृदन्त), Parasmaipada, Masculine, Nominative, Singular; agreeing with yogī

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Moksha-Dharma dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It establishes the ethical foundation (yamas) required for moksha-oriented yoga: purifying conduct and redirecting the mind toward steadiness, which is presented as essential for liberation.

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

Though framed as yoga-discipline, these virtues support bhakti by reducing ego-driven desire and violence; a niṣkāma (selfless) mind becomes fit for steady remembrance and worship of the Lord.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana or Jyotisha) is taught in this verse; it highlights practical dharma as a prerequisite for higher sadhana—self-restraint, truthfulness, and non-possessiveness.