Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 58

Mārkaṇḍeya-varṇanam

The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya

Devanagari script

धर्म्मशास्त्रप्रवक्तारः सत्यवाक्यरताश्च ये । सतां शुश्रूषवो ये च ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ५८ ॥

Transliteration

dharmmaśāstrapravaktāraḥ satyavākyaratāśca ye | satāṃ śuśrūṣavo ye ca te vai bhāgavatottamāḥ || 58 ||

Translation

Aqueles que expõem os Dharma-śāstras, que se deleitam em falar a verdade e que servem diligentemente os virtuosos—tais pessoas são, em verdade, as mais elevadas entre os Bhāgavatas.

Word by Word

• धर्म-शास्त्र-प्रवक्तारः: expounders of dharma-scripture
• धर्म-शास्त्र-प्रवक्तारः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रवक्तृ (प्रातिपदिक; √वच्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (धर्मशास्त्रस्य प्रवक्तारः = expounders of dharma-śāstra)

• सत्य-वाक्य-रताः: devoted to truthful words
• सत्य-वाक्य-रताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक) + वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक) + रत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक, √रम्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (सत्यवाक्येषु रताः = devoted to truthful speech)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• ये: who
• ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, बहुवचनम्

• सताम्: of the virtuous
• सताम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सत् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √अस्, शतृ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, षष्ठी, बहुवचनम्; 'सत्' = good/virtuous persons

• शुश्रूषवः: eager to serve (the virtuous)
• शुश्रूषवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुश्रूषु (प्रातिपदिक; desiderative-noun from √श्रु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, बहुवचनम्; विशेषणम् (eager to serve/listen attentively)

• ये: who
• ये: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, बहुवचनम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• ते: they
• ते: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, बहुवचनम्

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निपातः

• भागवत-उत्तमाः: the best devotees
• भागवत-उत्तमाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भागवत (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, बहुवचनम्; कर्मधारयः

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It defines the hallmark of an “uttama-bhāgavata”: devotion expressed as fidelity to Dharma, unwavering truthfulness, and humble service to the virtuous—showing that bhakti is inseparable from ethical and saint-centered living.

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

Bhakti is presented as practical character and conduct: teaching Dharma for the welfare of others, speaking truth as a vow-like discipline, and sādhu-sevā (service to the holy) as a direct means of refining devotion and receiving spiritual influence.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga is named; the verse emphasizes śāstra-pravacana (authoritative teaching of Dharma texts) and disciplined speech (satya-vākya), which aligns with the broader śāstric training supported by Vyākaraṇa and Mīmāṃsā in traditional study.