Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 61

Anūcāna (True Learning), the Vedāṅgas, and Śikṣā: Svara, Sāmavedic Chant, and Gandharva Theory

Devanagari script

मध्यमः । द्वितीयः ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

madhyamaḥ | dvitīyaḥ || 2 ||

Translation

‘Madhyama’ é o ‘segundo’.

Word by Word

• मध्यमः: madhyama (a note)
• मध्यमः: Karta (कर्ता/Item label)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मध्यम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• द्वितीयः: second
• द्वितीयः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: द्वितीय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); क्रमवाचक-विशेषण (ordinal adjective)

Speaker

Suta (narrative compiler voice, summarizing a classification in the Moksha-Dharma section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It marks an intermediate tier within a graded scheme of dharma/sādhana, indicating that spiritual disciplines are taught in levels (e.g., higher, middle, lower) to suit different capacities.

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

By identifying a “middle” level, it implies bhakti and allied practices can be approached progressively—one may begin with accessible disciplines and mature toward more refined devotion and liberation-oriented practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Śikṣā) is taught in this line; it functions as a structural marker in a classification being enumerated.