Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 73

Dvādaśī-vrata: Month-by-month Viṣṇu Worship and the Year-End Udyāpana

Devanagari script

भोजयेद्ब्राह्माञ्शक्त्या स्वयं चाश्रीतवाग्यतः । सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तो ब्रह्ममेधफलं लभेत् ॥ ७३ ॥

Transliteration

bhojayedbrāhmāñśaktyā svayaṃ cāśrītavāgyataḥ | sarvapāpavinirmukto brahmamedhaphalaṃ labhet || 73 ||

Translation

സ്വശക്തിയനുസരിച്ച് ബ്രാഹ്മണരെ ഭോജിപ്പിക്കുകയും, താനുമെ—വാക്സംയമവും ഇന്ദ്രിയനിഗ്രഹവും പാലിക്കുകയും വേണം. അങ്ങനെ സർവ്വപാപവിമുക്തനായി ബ്രഹ്മമേധത്തിന്റെ പരമഫലം പ്രാപിക്കും.

Word by Word

• भोजयेत्: should feed
• भोजयेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भोजय् (धातु √भुज्, णिच् causative)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative/विधि), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular), परस्मैपद

• ब्राह्मान्: Brahmins
• ब्राह्मान्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्राह्मण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), बहुवचन (plural)

• शक्त्या: according to (one's) ability
• शक्त्या: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (feminine), तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), एकवचन (singular)

• स्वयम्: oneself
• स्वयम्: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable), प्रकार/स्वकृत्य-निर्देशक (adverb: oneself)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• आश्रित-वाक्-यतः: having restrained speech
• आश्रित-वाक्-यतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आश्रित (कृदन्त, √श्रि + क्त) + वाक् (प्रातिपदिक) + यत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: तत्पुरुष (determinative) ‘आश्रिता वाक् यस्य सः’ (speech restrained); पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन (singular)

• सर्व-पाप-विनिर्मुक्तः: freed from all sins
• सर्व-पाप-विनिर्मुक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + पाप (प्रातिपदिक) + विनिर्मुक्त (कृदन्त, √मुच् + क्त, वि-निर् उपसर्ग)
• Form: समासः: तत्पुरुष (determinative) ‘सर्वेभ्यः पापेभ्यः विनिर्मुक्तः’; पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (singular)

• ब्रह्ममेध-फलम्: the fruit of the Brahmamedha rite
• ब्रह्ममेध-फलम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्ममेध (प्रातिपदिक) + फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: तत्पुरुष (determinative) ‘ब्रह्ममेधस्य फलम्’; नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन (singular)

• लभेत्: would obtain
• लभेत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: लभ् (धातु √लभ्)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular), आत्मनेपद

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇas
• Brahma-medha

FAQs

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

It teaches that sincere brāhmaṇa-bhojana done within one’s means, combined with self-restraint (especially disciplined speech), becomes a powerful purifier that destroys sin and yields very high merit.

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

Though framed as Dharma, the verse supports Bhakti by emphasizing humble service to the worthy and inner discipline; such sattvic conduct purifies the devotee and makes worship and remembrance of the Divine more effective.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual discipline and correct conduct (prayoga) are implied—especially vāg-yama (regulated speech) and yama (self-control), which are essential supports for Vedic rites and śrāddha-style observances.