Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

The Exposition of Spiritual Knowledge

Jñāna-pradarśanam

Devanagari script

निधिकोटिसहस्राणां कोटिकोटिगुणान्वितम् । विगणय्य स्वयं हृष्टो विस्मितश्चार्थचिन्तया ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

nidhikoṭisahasrāṇāṃ koṭikoṭiguṇānvitam | vigaṇayya svayaṃ hṛṣṭo vismitaścārthacintayā || 17 ||

Translation

ஆயிரக் கோடி நிதிகளையும் மிஞ்சும், கோடி கோடியாகப் பெருகிய அந்தச் செல்வத்தை கணக்கிட்டு அவன் மகிழ்ந்தான்; அதன் பொருளை எண்ணி வியப்பிலும் ஆழ்ந்தான்।

Word by Word

• निधिकोटिसहस्राणाम्: of thousands of crores of treasures
• निधिकोटिसहस्राणाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निधि + कोटि + सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास (बहुपद): निधीनां कोटि-सहस्राणाम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/समाहार); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• कोटिकोटिगुणान्वितम्: endowed with crores upon crores of times (increase)
• कोटिकोटिगुणान्वितम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कोटि + कोटि + गुण + अन्वित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: कोटि-कोटि-गुणैः अन्वितम् (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (धनम्/निधिमानम् इत्यादि विशेषणम्)

• विगणय्य: having counted
• विगणय्य: पूर्वकालक्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + गण् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive) ‘विगणय्य’; पूर्वक्रिया (having counted/assessed)

• स्वयम्: himself
• स्वयम्: कर्ता-विशेषण (Emphatic to subject)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; आत्मवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (reflexive adverb: oneself)

• हृष्टः: delighted
• हृष्टः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (कर्ता-विशेषण)

• विस्मितः: astonished
• विस्मितः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विस्मित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (कर्ता-विशेषण)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• अर्थचिन्तया: by/with concern about wealth
• अर्थचिन्तया: करण/हेतु (Instrument/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ + चिन्ता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: अर्थस्य चिन्ता (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara brothers; verse reflects Narada’s reaction to the teaching’s value/purport)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that the spiritual fruit (puṇya/guṇa) of the teaching or practice being discussed is immeasurably greater than material wealth, and that true understanding arises when one reflects on its purport (artha-cintā).

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

By contrasting “treasures” with exponentially multiplied spiritual merit, the verse aligns with Bhakti teaching: devotion and its inner meaning are valued above worldly accumulation, producing joy (hṛṣa) and wonder (vismaya) in the devotee.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights artha-vicāra (reflection on meaning) as a practical discipline—akin to careful textual interpretation—rather than a ritual technique; the verse points to understanding the purport as essential for realizing the promised fruit.