Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 35

The Exposition of Spiritual Knowledge

Jñāna-pradarśanam

Devanagari script

गृणद्भिः परमं ब्रह्म शास्त्रचिन्तापरैस्तथा । परिचर्यापरैर्वृद्धैर्मुनिभिः परिशोभितम् ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

gṛṇadbhiḥ paramaṃ brahma śāstracintāparaistathā | paricaryāparairvṛddhairmunibhiḥ pariśobhitam || 35 ||

Translation

परमं ब्रह्म गृणद्भिः, शास्त्रचिन्तापरैस्तथा; परिचर्यापरैर्वृद्धैर्मुनिभिः स आश्रमः परिशोभितः ॥

Word by Word

• गृणद्भिः: by (sages) praising
• गृणद्भिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gṛṇat (प्रातिपदिक; √gṛ/√gṝ ‘to praise’ शतृ)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); present active participle (शतृ), qualifying मुनिभिः

• परमम्: supreme
• परमम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: parama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying ब्रह्म

• ब्रह्म: Brahman
• ब्रह्म: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); object of praising (गृणद्भिः)

• शास्त्रचिन्तापरैः: by those devoted to scriptural contemplation
• शास्त्रचिन्तापरैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śāstra-cintā-para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘intent on reflection on scriptures’ qualifying मुनिभिः

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Nipāta/Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (निपात/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), adverb (तुल्य/समुच्चयार्थ)

• परिचर्यापरैः: by those devoted to service
• परिचर्यापरैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paricaryā-para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); ‘devoted to service/attendance’ qualifying मुनिभिः

• वृद्धैः: by venerable/elder
• वृद्धैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vṛddha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); qualifying मुनिभिः

• मुनिभिः: by sages
• मुनिभिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: muni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन)

• परिशोभितम्: beautifully adorned
• परिशोभितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pari-śobhita (प्रातिपदिक; √śubh/√śobh क्त)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); past passive participle (क्त) qualifying (आश्रमम् understood)

Speaker

Narada (narrative voice within the Narada Purana dialogue tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Brahman

FAQs

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

It presents an ideal sacred assembly where liberation-oriented life is supported by three complementary disciplines—praise/chanting, śāstra-reflection, and devoted service—showing how a holy environment becomes spiritually radiant.

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

Bhakti is indicated through gṛṇadbhiḥ (devotional praise) and paricaryā (loving service), emphasizing that devotion is expressed both through voice (kīrtana) and conduct (seva).

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse points to śāstra-cintā—disciplined study and interpretation of sacred texts—supporting practical application of scriptural method (hermeneutics) rather than a specific Vedanga like Jyotiṣa or Vyākaraṇa.