Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 40

Nirukta, Phonetic Variants, and Vedic Dhātu–Svara Taxonomy

Devanagari script

ष्टुञेकस्तु समा ख्यातः स्मृते नारद शाब्दिकैः ॥ ४० ॥

Transliteration

ṣṭuñekastu samā khyātaḥ smṛte nārada śābdikaiḥ || 40 ||

Translation

நாரதரே, இலக்கணவாதிகளின் மரபில் ‘ஷ்டுஞேக’ என்பது புகழ்பெற்றது; அது ‘ஸமா’ எனப்படும் ஒரு ஆண்டளவிற்கு ஒப்பானது என்று கூறப்படுகிறது.

Word by Word

• ष्टुञ्-एकः: the single root ‘ṣṭuñ’
• ष्टुञ्-एकः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ष्टुञ् (धातु) + एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—कर्मधारयः (एकः ष्टुञ्-नामकः)

• तु: indeed/but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle)

• समाख्यातः: is declared
• समाख्यातः: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-आ-ख्या (धातु) → समाख्यात (कृदन्त, क्त)
• Form: कृदन्तः (क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• स्मृते: in the Smṛti (tradition)
• स्मृते: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्मृति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; ‘in the Smṛti/tradition’

• नारद: O Nārada
• नारद: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Address)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नारद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• शाब्दिकैः: by grammarians
• शाब्दिकैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शाब्दिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (addressing Narada in a technical/śāstra explanation)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Narada

FAQs

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

It shows that even in Mokṣa-dharma discussions, precise śāstric language matters—right understanding of terms (śabda) supports right understanding of dharma and practice.

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

Indirectly: bhakti practice often depends on correct observance of time (vratas, worship cycles). The verse anchors a time-meaning through śābdika tradition, helping devotees follow disciplines accurately.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vyākaraṇa/Śabda-śāstra: it preserves technical definitions and synonymy (here, a term equated with ‘one year’), which is useful for interpreting ritual and dharma passages.