Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 4

Kūrmāpurāṇa-Anukramaṇikā

Index/Summary of the Kūrma Purāṇa

Devanagari script

नाननाकथाप्रसंगेन नृणां सद्गतिदायकाः । तत्र पूर्वविभागे तु पुराणोपक्रमः पुरा ॥ ४ ॥

Transliteration

nānanākathāprasaṃgena nṛṇāṃ sadgatidāyakāḥ | tatra pūrvavibhāge tu purāṇopakramaḥ purā || 4 ||

Translation

ନାନା କଥାପ୍ରସଙ୍ଗର ସଂଯୋଜନ ଦ୍ୱାରା ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକ ମନୁଷ୍ୟଙ୍କୁ ସଦ୍ଗତି ଦେଇଥାଏ। ସେହି ଗ୍ରନ୍ଥର ପୂର୍ବ ବିଭାଗରେ ପୁରାଣର ପ୍ରାଚୀନ ଉପକ୍ରମ (ଆରମ୍ଭ ଢାଞ୍ଚା) ବର୍ଣ୍ଣିତ।

Word by Word

• nānānā-kathā-prasaṅgena: by (means of) the context of many stories
• nānānā-kathā-prasaṅgena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nānā + kathā + prasaṅga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3/तृतीया), Singular; compound: 'by the occasion/context of various stories'

• nṛṇām: of men
• nṛṇām: Ṣaṣṭhī-sambandha (षष्ठीसम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6/षष्ठी), Plural

• sad-gati-dāyakāḥ: bestowing good destiny
• sad-gati-dāyakāḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sat (प्रातिपदिक) + gati (प्रातिपदिक) + dāyaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1), Plural; adjective (bahuvacana) qualifying an implied subject (e.g., dharmāḥ/kathāḥ)

• tatra: there / in that (text)
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb of place (देशवाचक)

• pūrva-vibhāge: in the former division
• pūrva-vibhāge: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदिक) + vibhāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Locative (7/सप्तमी), Singular; 'in the earlier section'

• tu: but / indeed
• tu: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्धबोधक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; particle (निपात) indicating contrast/emphasis

• purāṇa-upakramaḥ: the Purāṇa’s opening
• purāṇa-upakramaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: purāṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + upakrama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1), Singular; 'beginning/introduction of the Purāṇa'

• purā: formerly
• purā: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: purā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb of time

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara brothers, presenting Purāṇic structure)

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 states that Purāṇic storytelling is not mere entertainment: the many interconnected narratives function as a spiritual vehicle that leads people toward sadgati (an auspicious, uplifted end), because the Purāṇa is intentionally structured to guide conduct and understanding.

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

By emphasizing kathā (sacred narrative) as a means of transformation, it supports the Bhakti principle that hearing/remembering divine and dharmic accounts purifies the mind and naturally turns one toward devotion and right living, culminating in sadgati.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Rather than a specific Vedāṅga technique, the verse highlights Purāṇic anukramaṇikā—an organized introductory outline—showing the importance of systematic textual arrangement for teaching Dharma effectively.