Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5

The Recitation of the Thousand Names of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa (Yugala-Sahasranāma) and Śaraṇāgati-Dharma

Devanagari script

मम स्मृतिमनुप्राप्तो विना युगललंभनम् । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य नारदस्य महात्मनः ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

mama smṛtimanuprāpto vinā yugalalaṃbhanam | tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya nāradasya mahātmanaḥ || 5 ||

Translation

ମହାତ୍ମା ନାରଦଙ୍କ ଏହି ବଚନ ଶୁଣିବାମାତ୍ରେ, କୌଣସି ମଧ୍ୟସ୍ଥ ପ୍ରେରଣା ବିନା ତାହା ମୋ ସ୍ମୃତିରେ ସ୍ୱୟଂ ଉଦିତ ହେଲା; ଏବଂ ମୁଁ ତଦନୁସାରେ ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଲି।

Word by Word

• मम: my
• मम: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन (Singular); सर्वनाम (pronoun)

• स्मृतिम्: memory/recollection
• स्मृतिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्मृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine), द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन (Singular)

• अनुप्राप्तः: having attained/obtained
• अनुप्राप्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु-√प्राप् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि/भूतकालिक क्त-प्रत्यय (past passive participle), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; कर्तरि प्रयोगे ‘having obtained/attained’

• विना: without
• विना: Nivṛtti/Apādāna-sense (अपादानार्थ-निवृत्तिः)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: विना (अव्यय)
• Form: उपपद-अव्यय (preposition), ‘without’ (विना + तृतीया/द्वितीया)

• युगल-लम्भनम्: the obtaining of the pair (i.e., the couple)
• युगल-लम्भनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युगल (प्रातिपदिक) + लम्भन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (yugala-sya lambhanam)

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; ‘that’ (demonstrative)

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √श्रु (धातु) + त्वा (क्त्वा-प्रत्यय)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive): ‘having heard’

• वचनम्: speech/statement
• वचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• नारदस्य: of Nārada
• नारदस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• महात्मनः: of the great-souled (one)
• महात्मनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine), षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

Speaker

Narrator (contextual voice referring to Narada’s words; likely within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue frame)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It highlights śravaṇa (hearing) as a catalyst for smṛti (inner recollection), showing how sacred instruction revives insight without external compulsion—an important motif in Purāṇic guru–śiṣya transmission.

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

Though not explicitly naming bhakti, it emphasizes attentive hearing of a saint’s words (here, Nārada). In Purāṇic practice, such śravaṇa is a foundational limb that awakens remembrance of dharma and devotion-oriented understanding.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It points to the method of learning central to Vedāṅga study—oral reception and accurate retention (smṛti) of instruction—supporting disciplines like Vyākaraṇa and Śikṣā where precise hearing and recall are essential.