Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 27

Hari-nāma Mahimā and Caraṇāmṛta: The Redemption of the Hunter Gulika

Uttaṅka Itihāsa

Devanagari script

तत्रापश्यद्द्विजवरं शांतं तत्त्वार्थकोविदम् । परिचर्यापरं विष्णोरुत्तंकं तपसां निधिम् ॥ २७ ॥

Transliteration

tatrāpaśyaddvijavaraṃ śāṃtaṃ tattvārthakovidam | paricaryāparaṃ viṣṇoruttaṃkaṃ tapasāṃ nidhim || 27 ||

Translation

Ali ele viu o melhor dos duas-vezes-nascidos: sereno, versado no verdadeiro sentido do real; era Uttaṅka, inteiramente dedicado ao serviço de Viṣṇu, um tesouro de austeridades.

Word by Word

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (locative adverb)

• अपश्यत्: saw
• अपश्यत्: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/Past), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular)

• द्विजवरम्: the best of the twice-born (brahmin)
• द्विजवरम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्विज-वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (accusative/2nd), एकवचन (singular); समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (द्विजानां वरः)

• शान्तम्: peaceful
• शान्तम्: कर्मणि विशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (कृदन्त; शम् धातोः)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past participle), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifier)

• तत्त्वार्थकोविदम्: skilled in the meaning of true principles
• तत्त्वार्थकोविदम्: कर्मणि विशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तत्त्व-अर्थ-कोविद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (तत्त्वार्थेषु कोविदः = skilled in the meaning of truth/principles)

• परिचर्या-परम्: devoted to service
• परिचर्या-परम्: कर्मणि विशेषण (Qualifier of object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परिचर्या-पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (परिचर्यायां परः = devoted to service)

• विष्णोः: of Vishnu
• विष्णोः: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (genitive/6th), एकवचन

• उत्तङ्कम्: Uttaṅka
• उत्तङ्कम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उत्तङ्क (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; व्यक्तिनाम (proper name)

• तपसाम्: of austerities
• तपसाम्: सम्बन्ध (Sambandha/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (neuter), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (genitive/6th), बहुवचन (plural)

• निधिम्: treasure; repository
• निधिम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing the encounter; dialogue context typically framed around Nārada and the Sanatkumāras)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Uttanka

FAQs

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

It presents the model of an ideal spiritual authority: one who is inwardly tranquil (śānta), philosophically grounded in tattva, and outwardly devoted to Viṣṇu through humble service (paricaryā), showing that realization and devotion must coexist.

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

Bhakti is highlighted as paricaryā—active, reverential service to Viṣṇu—showing devotion not merely as emotion but as sustained worshipful conduct aligned with inner peace and right understanding.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

While no single Vedāṅga is named, the phrase tattvārtha-kovida points to disciplined śāstric discernment (viveka) that typically rests on sound Vyākaraṇa (accurate textual understanding) and Mīmāṃsā-style interpretive clarity to grasp the ‘artha’ (intended meaning) of teachings.