Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy

Transition to Vedānta Inquiry

Devanagari script

सत्यवाक्यरताः सर्वे चतुराश्रमधर्मिणः । वेदाध्ययनसंपन्नाः सर्वशास्त्रविचक्षणाः ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

satyavākyaratāḥ sarve caturāśramadharmiṇaḥ | vedādhyayanasaṃpannāḥ sarvaśāstravicakṣaṇāḥ || 11 ||

Translation

അവർ എല്ലാവരും സത്യവചനത്തിൽ രതരായി, ചതുരാശ്രമധർമ്മത്തിൽ സ്ഥാപിതരായി; വേദാധ്യയനത്തിൽ സമ്പന്നരായി, സർവശാസ്ത്രങ്ങളിലും വിവേകികളായി ഇരുന്നു.

Word by Word

• सत्य-वाक्य-रताः: devoted to truthful speech
• सत्य-वाक्य-रताः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक) + वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक) + रत (कृदन्त; √रम् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; रत = क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle) used adjectivally; समासः: सत्यवाक्ये रताः

• सर्वे: all
• सर्वे: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन

• चतुर्-आश्रम-धर्मिणः: observing the duties of the four āśramas
• चतुर्-आश्रम-धर्मिणः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् (प्रातिपदिक) + आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक) + धर्मिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; धर्मिन् = -इन् प्रत्ययान्त; समासः: चतुराश्रमस्य धर्मिणः (followers of the dharma of the four āśramas)

• वेद-अध्ययन-संपन्नाः: accomplished in Vedic study
• वेद-अध्ययन-संपन्नाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + अध्ययन (प्रातिपदिक) + संपन्न (कृदन्त; √पद्/√पन् धातु with सम्-; क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; संपन्न = क्त-प्रत्ययान्त; समासः: वेदाध्ययनेन संपन्नाः

• सर्व-शास्त्र-विचक्षणाः: skilled in all scriptures
• सर्व-शास्त्र-विचक्षणाः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + विचक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन; समासः: सर्वेषु शास्त्रेषु विचक्षणाः

Speaker

Narada (narrative description within the dialogue context with the Sanatkumara tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It presents the ideal religious character: truthfulness, disciplined life according to one’s āśrama, and deep grounding in Veda and śāstra—virtues that stabilize dharma and purify conduct.

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

By emphasizing satya (truth), āśrama-dharma, and scriptural discernment, it lays the ethical and scriptural foundation through which bhakti becomes steady, informed, and free from hypocrisy.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse points to vedādhyayana (systematic Vedic study) supported by śāstra-vicakṣaṇatā (discriminating understanding), which in practice relies on Vedāṅga tools like vyākaraṇa (grammar) and śikṣā (phonetics) for correct learning and recitation.