Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 70

Mokṣopāya: Bhakti-rooted Jñāna and the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Viṣṇu-Meditation

Devanagari script

मायैव ज्ञानशब्देन बुद्ध्यते मुनिसत्तम । तस्मादज्ञानविच्छेदो भवेद्रौजितमायिनाम् ॥ ७० ॥

Transliteration

māyaiva jñānaśabdena buddhyate munisattama | tasmādajñānavicchedo bhavedraujitamāyinām || 70 ||

Translation

ହେ ମୁନିଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ, ‘ଜ୍ଞାନ’ ଶବ୍ଦରେ ମାୟା ଏବେ ବୁଝାଯାଏ। ତେଣୁ ଯାହାଙ୍କର ମାୟା ନିବୃତ୍ତ, ସେମାନଙ୍କର ଅଜ୍ଞାନ-ବିଚ୍ଛେଦ ହୁଏ।

Word by Word

• māyā: Maya
• māyā: Karma (Object - Passive construction)
• Type: Noun
• Root: māyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• eva: indeed
• eva: N/A
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic Particle

• jñānaśabdena: by the word 'knowledge' (Context implies 'Ignorance' or specific technical term)
• jñānaśabdena: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jñānaśabda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• buddhyate: is understood/known
• buddhyate: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: budh (धातु)
• Form: Passive Present (Karmani Lat/कर्मणि लट), 3rd Person, Singular

• munisattama: O best of sages
• munisattama: Sambodhana (Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: munisattama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Vocative (Sambodhana/सम्बोधन), Singular

• tasmāt: therefore
• tasmāt: Hetu (Cause)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial (Ablative)

• ajñānavicchedaḥ: destruction/cutting off of ignorance
• ajñānavicchedaḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ajñānaviccheda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• bhavet: should happen/would be
• bhavet: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: bhū (धातु)
• Form: Potential Mood (Vidhilin/विधिलिङ्), 3rd Person, Singular

• vijitamāyinām: of those who have conquered Maya
• vijitamāyinām: Sambandha (Relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vijitamāyin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (Corrected from 'raujita' to 'vijita')

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Maya

FAQs

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

The verse highlights that true liberation comes from the removal of delusion (māyā), which results in the cutting off of ignorance (ajñāna). It frames mokṣa as a transformation of understanding—when māyā is dispelled, ignorance no longer persists.

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

While expressed in jñāna language, the implication supports bhakti: devotion to Viṣṇu (and steady remembrance) is a principal Narada Purana method for dissolving māyā. As māyā weakens through devotion and right understanding, ajñāna is naturally severed.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga practice is taught in this line; it is primarily philosophical (mokṣa-dharma). The practical takeaway is discernment (viveka) in interpreting key terms like “jñāna,” aligning understanding with śāstra rather than mere word-usage.