Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 23

Dharmānukathana

Narration of Dharma

Devanagari script

प्राकारकारिणस्तस्य कण्टकावरणप्रदाः । प्रयान्ति ब्रह्मणः स्थानं युगानामेकसप्ततिम् ॥ २३ ॥

Transliteration

prākārakāriṇastasya kaṇṭakāvaraṇapradāḥ | prayānti brahmaṇaḥ sthānaṃ yugānāmekasaptatim || 23 ||

Translation

ଯେମାନେ ତାହା ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରାକାର (ରକ୍ଷାବାଡ଼) ତିଆରି କରନ୍ତି ଏବଂ କଣ୍ଟକରୁ ରକ୍ଷା ପାଇଁ ଆବରଣ ଦିଅନ୍ତି, ସେମାନେ ଏକସପ୍ତତି ଯୁଗ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ବ୍ରହ୍ମଲୋକ ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ କରନ୍ତି।

Word by Word

• प्राकारकारिणः: builders of ramparts/walls
• प्राकारकारिणः: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्राकार-कारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (प्राकारं करोति इति), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• तस्य: of him/of that (person)
• तस्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• कण्टकावरणप्रदाः: givers of thorn-fences/protective coverings
• कण्टकावरणप्रदाः: कर्ता (Karta/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कण्टक-आवरण-प्रद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (कण्टकानाम् आवरणं प्रददाति इति), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), बहुवचन

• प्रयान्ति: go/attain
• प्रयान्ति: क्रिया (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-या (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), बहुवचन

• ब्रह्मणः: of Brahmā
• ब्रह्मणः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• स्थानम्: abode/place
• स्थानम्: कर्म (Karma/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• युगानाम्: of yugas
• युगानाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन

• एकसप्ततिम्: seventy-one
• एकसप्ततिम्: परिमाण/कालपरिमाण (Measure)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एक-सप्तति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगुसमास (एक + सप्तति = 71), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; संख्यावाचक

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Brahma

FAQs

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

It teaches that practical service—protecting and maintaining a sacred place or route—counts as high dharma and yields an exalted post-mortem reward: residence in Brahmā’s realm for a vast duration.

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

While not explicitly naming Vishnu-bhakti, it highlights bhakti expressed as seva: safeguarding what is sacred for the benefit of devotees and pilgrims, which the Purana treats as a powerful form of religious merit.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects kalpa-style practical dharma (ritual and duty application): maintaining sacred infrastructure and removing harm (like thorns) is presented as a concrete, merit-generating religious act.