Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 24

Matsya-purāṇa Anukramaṇikā

Synopsis / Table of Contents

Devanagari script

प्रवरानुक्रमस्तद्वत्पितृगाथानुकीर्तनम् । तथोभयमुखीदानं दानं कृष्णाजिनस्य च ॥ २४ ॥

Transliteration

pravarānukramastadvatpitṛgāthānukīrtanam | tathobhayamukhīdānaṃ dānaṃ kṛṣṇājinasya ca || 24 ||

Translation

Demikian juga hendaklah dibacakan susur galur para leluhur mulia (pravara) dan dilagukan puji-pujian nenek moyang; serta hendaklah diberikan dana “bermuka dua” (berhujung dua), juga dana kulit kijang hitam (kṛṣṇājina).

Word by Word

• प्रवरानुक्रमः: the listing/sequence of the pravaras
• प्रवरानुक्रमः: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रवर-अनुक्रम (प्रातिपदिक; प्रवर + अनुक्रम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (प्रवराणाम् अनुक्रमः)

• तद्वत्: likewise
• तद्वत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तद्वत् (अव्यय/तद्धित)
• Form: अव्यय; तुलनार्थक (meaning ‘likewise/in the same way’)

• पितृगाथानुकीर्तनम्: the recitation of ancestral songs/legends
• पितृगाथानुकीर्तनम्: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ-गाथा-अनुकीर्तन (प्रातिपदिक; पितृ + गाथा + अनुकीर्तन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (पितॄणां गाथानाम् अनुकीर्तनम्)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण

• उभयमुखीदानम्: the ‘two-faced’ (two-way) gift/charity
• उभयमुखीदानम्: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उभय-मुखी-दान (प्रातिपदिक; उभय + मुखी + दान)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (उभयमुखी च तत् दानम्)

• दानम्: gift, donation
• दानम्: Karta (कर्ता/उद्देश्य-विषय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कृष्णाजिनस्य: of the black antelope-skin
• कृष्णाजिनस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृष्ण-अजिन (प्रातिपदिक; कृष्ण + अजिन)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (कृष्णं अजिनम्)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

Speaker

Narada (in an enumerative, anukramanika-style instruction within the Purva Bhaga)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

Characters & Entities

• Pitrs (ancestors)

FAQs

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

It highlights Pitṛ-tarpaṇa orientation: honoring one’s ancestral line through correct pravara-recitation and praise of the Pitṛs, supported by prescribed dāna (charitable gifts) that sanctify śrāddha-type rites and reinforce dharma.

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

While focused on ritual duty, it supports bhakti indirectly by purifying the practitioner through disciplined dharma—ancestral reverence and selfless giving—creating eligibility (adhikāra) for higher devotion and remembrance of the Divine.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It points to śrauta/smārta procedural precision tied to Vedāṅga usage—especially correct recitation and lineage-identification (pravara) which relies on phonetic accuracy (Śikṣā) and proper formulation/usage (Vyākaraṇa) within ritual contexts.