Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 68

Anūcāna (True Learning), the Vedāṅgas, and Śikṣā: Svara, Sāmavedic Chant, and Gandharva Theory

Devanagari script

षङ्जं मयूरो वदति गावो रंभंति चर्षभम् । अजाविके तु गांधारं क्रौंचो वदति मध्यमम् ॥ ६१ ॥

Transliteration

ṣaṅjaṃ mayūro vadati gāvo raṃbhaṃti carṣabham | ajāvike tu gāṃdhāraṃ krauṃco vadati madhyamam || 61 ||

Translation

മയൂർം ഷഡ്ജ സ്വരം ഉച്ചരിക്കുന്നു; പശുക്കൾ ഋഷഭ സ്വരത്തിൽ റംഭിക്കുന്നു. ആടും ചെമ്മരിയാടും ഗാന്ധാര സ്വരത്തിൽ; ക്രൗഞ്ചപക്ഷി മധ്യമ സ്വരം ഉച്ചരിക്കുന്നു.

Word by Word

• षङ्जम्: the note Ṣaḍja (Sa)
• षङ्जम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षड्ज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• मयूरः: peacock
• मयूरः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मयूर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• वदति: utters/says
• वदति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद् (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• गावः: cows
• गावः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गो (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• रम्भन्ति: low/bellow
• रम्भन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रम्भ् (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Plural (बहुवचन)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction/particle (समुच्चय-बोधक अव्यय)

• ऋषभम्: the note Ṛṣabha
• ऋषभम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषभ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• अजाविके: goat and sheep (the pair)
• अजाविके: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अजाविका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात), contrast/emphasis

• गान्धारम्: the note Gāndhāra
• गान्धारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गान्धार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• क्रौञ्चः: krauñca (crane)
• क्रौञ्चः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्रौञ्च (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• वदति: utters/says
• वदति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद् (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• मध्यमम्: the note Madhyama
• मध्यमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्यम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada, within Moksha-dharma instruction)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Mayura (peacock)
• Gavah (cows)
• Aja (goat)
• Avika (sheep)
• Kraunca (bird)

FAQs

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

It points to nāda (sacred sound) as a universal principle: even animals naturally manifest distinct svaras, implying that disciplined sound—used in mantra and śikṣā—supports inner refinement conducive to mokṣa.

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

By highlighting the natural order of sound, it indirectly supports bhakti practice where correct vocalization and attentive chanting (kīrtana/japa) become a precise, reverent offering—devotion expressed through purified speech.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Śikṣā (Vedic phonetics) and svara-jñāna: recognition of specific notes/svaras (Ṣaḍja, Ṛṣabha, Gāndhāra, Madhyama) and the broader idea that accurate sound-production underlies correct mantra recitation.