Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 10

Devanagari script

वर्णाश्रमाचारधर्मं साक्षात्कारमुपैष्यति । कियंति च पुराणानि कियत्संख्यानि मानतः ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

varṇāśramācāradharmaṃ sākṣātkāramupaiṣyati | kiyaṃti ca purāṇāni kiyatsaṃkhyāni mānataḥ || 10 ||

Translation

அவன் வர்ண-ஆசிரமங்களுக்குரிய ஆச்சார-தர்மத்தை நேரடியாக உணர்வான். மேலும், புராணங்கள் எத்தனை? அவற்றின் அளவு (ச்லோக எண்ணிக்கையால்) எவ்வளவு? கூறுவீராக.

Word by Word

• वर्ण-आश्रम-आचार-धर्मम्: the dharma of conduct for the varṇas and āśramas
• वर्ण-आश्रम-आचार-धर्मम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ण (प्रातिपदिक) + आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक) + आचार (प्रातिपदिक) + धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (Accusative/2nd), एकवचनम्; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (निर्देश/सम्बन्ध-प्रधानः)

• साक्षात्कारम्: direct realization
• साक्षात्कारम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साक्षात् (अव्यय) + कार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; अव्ययीभाव-समासः (साक्षात् + कार)

• उपैष्यति: will attain
• उपैष्यति: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-इ (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकारः (Simple Future), प्रथमपुरुषः (3rd), एकवचनम्; परस्मैपदम्

• कियन्ति: how many
• कियन्ति: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कियत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; प्रश्नवाचक-विशेषणम्

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunctive)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-बोधक-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• पुराणानि: Purāṇas
• पुराणानि: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुराण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• कियत्-संख्यानि: of what number / how many in count
• कियत्-संख्यानि: विशेषण (Viśeṣaṇa)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कियत् (प्रातिपदिक) + संख्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्; तत्पुरुष-समासः (कियत् इति संख्या)

• मानतः: according to measure/authority
• मानतः: हेतु/प्रकार (Reason/Mode)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मानतस् (अव्यय)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त-अव्ययम् (ablatival adverb); अर्थः—‘प्रमाणतः/मान-आधारेण’

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

The verse links right living (varṇa–āśrama ācāra-dharma) with clear spiritual comprehension, and then turns to scriptural orientation—knowing the Purāṇas and their extent—so practice and śāstra-knowledge support each other.

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

While not naming bhakti directly, it frames devotion as grounded in dharmic conduct and informed by Purāṇic teaching—Purāṇas are primary vehicles for bhakti-oriented instruction through narratives, vows, and praise of the Lord.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It emphasizes śāstric classification and textual measure (māna/saṃkhyā)—a practical, technical concern aligned with anukramaṇikā-style cataloging used in traditional learning and transmission.