Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 39

The Exposition of Spiritual Knowledge

Jñāna-pradarśanam

Devanagari script

कृतातिथ्यक्रियस्तेन वेदमाली कृताञ्जलि । विनयावनतो भूत्वा प्रोवाच वदतां वरम् ॥ ३९ ॥

Transliteration

kṛtātithyakriyastena vedamālī kṛtāñjali | vinayāvanato bhūtvā provāca vadatāṃ varam || 39 ||

Translation

तेन कृतातिथ्यक्रियः स वेदमाली कृताञ्जलिः। विनयावनतो भूत्वा वदतां वरं प्रति प्रोवाच॥

Word by Word

• कृत-अतिथ्य-क्रियः: having performed hospitality
• कृत-अतिथ्य-क्रियः: कर्ता (Karta; subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (कृ-धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय, कृदन्त) + अतिथ्य (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); समासः: तत्पुरुष (अतिथ्यक्रिया कृतः = who has performed hospitality)

• तेन: by him/with him
• तेन: करण/सहकर्ता (Instrument/Agent in passive sense)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental), एकवचन (Singular)

• वेद-माली: Vedamālī (the Veda-adorned one)
• वेद-माली: कर्ता (Karta/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + मालिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); समासः: तत्पुरुष (वेदानां माली = one adorned with Vedas/garlanded with Vedic knowledge)

• कृत-अञ्जलिः: with folded hands
• कृत-अञ्जलिः: कर्ता (Karta; subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कृत (कृ-धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय, कृदन्त) + अञ्जलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative), एकवचन (Singular); समासः: तत्पुरुष (अञ्जलिः कृतः = with hands folded)

• विनय-अवनतः: bowed in humility
• विनय-अवनतः: कर्ता (Karta; subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विनय (प्रातिपदिक) + अवनत (अव-नम् धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय, कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः: तत्पुरुष (विनयेन अवनतः = bowed with humility)

• भूत्वा: having become
• भूत्वा: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्यय (Absolutive/Gerund), अव्ययभाव (indeclinable verbal)

• प्रोवाच: said, spoke forth
• प्रोवाच: क्रिया (Verb/Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• वदताम्: of those who speak
• वदताम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitival: among speakers)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वद् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय (Present active participle), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), बहुवचन (Plural), पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine)

• वरम्: the best (one)
• वरम्: कर्म (Karma/Object; addressed/praised as 'best')
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन (Singular)

Speaker

Narrator (Suta/Pauranika narration style; verse describes Vedamālī’s action before speaking)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Vedamālī

FAQs

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

It highlights dharmic conduct: honoring a guest (especially a spiritual visitor) through ātithya and approaching sacred dialogue with humility (vinaya) and reverence (kṛtāñjali).

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

Bhakti is expressed through respectful service and surrender of ego—here shown by hospitality and bowed humility before speaking, which are foundational devotional attitudes.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual propriety is emphasized—proper ātithya-kriyā (guest-reception rites) and disciplined speech etiquette, aligning with smārta/kalpa-based conduct rather than a technical Vedanga lesson.