Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 67

Dīkṣā, Mantra-Types, Mantra-Doṣas, and Qualifications of Ācārya–Śiṣya

Devanagari script

आश्रमी ध्याननिरतः संशयच्छित्सुवुद्धिमान् । नित्यानुष्टानसंयुक्तस्त्वाचार्यः परिकीर्तितः ॥ ६७ ॥

Transliteration

āśramī dhyānanirataḥ saṃśayacchitsuvuddhimān | nityānuṣṭānasaṃyuktastvācāryaḥ parikīrtitaḥ || 67 ||

Translation

ആശ്രമധർമ്മനിയമങ്ങൾ അനുസരിച്ച് ജീവിച്ച് ധ്യാനനിരതനായി, ബുദ്ധിമാനായി സംശയങ്ങൾ ഛേദിക്കാൻ കഴിവുള്ളവനായി, നിത്യാനുഷ്ഠാനങ്ങളിൽ സ്ഥിരനായിരിക്കുന്നവനെയാണ് ആചാര്യൻ എന്നു പ്രസ്താവിക്കുന്നത്।

Word by Word

• आश्रमी: one belonging to an āśrama (disciplined ascetic)
• आश्रमी: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आश्रमिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• ध्यान-निरतः: engaged in meditation
• ध्यान-निरतः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ध्यान (प्रातिपदिक) + निरत (कृदन्त; √रम् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (ध्यान-निरतः = ध्याने निरतः)

• संशय-च्छित्सु- बुद्धिमान्: intelligent, intent on cutting doubts
• संशय-च्छित्सु- बुद्धिमान्: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: संशय (प्रातिपदिक) + छित्सु (कृदन्त; √छिद् धातु, सन्-प्रत्यय/इच्छार्थक) + बुद्धिमत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि-समास (यस्य बुद्धिः संशयान् छेत्तुम् इच्छति/समर्था)

• नित्य-अनुष्ठान-संयुक्तः: endowed with daily observances
• नित्य-अनुष्ठान-संयुक्तः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुष्ठान (प्रातिपदिक) + संयुक्त (कृदन्त; √युज् धातु, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष-समास (नित्य-अनुष्ठानेन संयुक्तः)

• तु: indeed / but
• तु: सम्बन्ध/वाक्य-सम्बन्ध (Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle), विरोध/विशेषार्थे (but/indeed)

• आचार्यः: teacher, preceptor
• आचार्यः: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• परिकीर्तितः: is proclaimed/defined
• परिकीर्तितः: क्रिया (Kriyā/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: परि-√कीर्त् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगार्थः (is described/declared)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the dialogue on śāstric disciplines and qualifications)

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 defines an Ācārya not merely by scholarship, but by lived āśrama-dharma, meditative steadiness, the ability to remove disciples’ doubts, and faithful performance of nitya-karmas—uniting conduct, contemplation, and teaching authority.

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

While not explicitly naming Bhakti, it frames genuine guidance as coming from a disciplined, inwardly focused teacher whose steady practice and clarity dissolve confusion—creating the conditions in which devotion and right understanding can mature.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights the pragmatic standard for śāstra instruction: an Ācārya must be competent in resolving saṃśaya (interpretive doubt) and grounded in nitya-anuṣṭhāna (daily ritual/discipline), a core requirement for reliable Vedāṅga-based teaching.