Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

The Narration of the Brāhma Purāṇa’s Account

Brāhma Purāṇānukramaṇikā

Devanagari script

स्वाध्यायश्रुतसंपन्नो वेदवेदागपारगः । उपसृत्य स्वपितरं ब्रह्मणं लोकभावनम् ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

svādhyāyaśrutasaṃpanno vedavedāgapāragaḥ | upasṛtya svapitaraṃ brahmaṇaṃ lokabhāvanam || 17 ||

Translation

స్వాధ్యాయ-శ్రుతిసంపన్నుడై, వేదవేదాంగాలలో పారంగతుడైన అతడు, లోకాలను పోషించే తన తండ్రి బ్రహ్ముని సమీపించాడు.

Word by Word

• स्वाध्याय-श्रुत-संपन्नः: endowed with self-study and learning
• स्वाध्याय-श्रुत-संपन्नः: विशेषण (Adjective of implied subject Marīci)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वाध्याय (प्रातिपदिक) + श्रुत (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √श्रु) + संपन्न (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त from √पद्/√पन् ‘to be endowed’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहि: ‘स्वाध्यायश्रुतेन संपन्नः’ (endowed with study and learning)

• वेद-वेदाङ्ग-पारगः: master of the Veda and Vedāṅgas
• वेद-वेदाङ्ग-पारगः: विशेषण (Adjective of implied subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + वेदाङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + पारग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘वेदवेदाङ्गयोः पारगः’ (knower/master of Veda and Vedāṅgas)

• उपसृत्य: having approached
• उपसृत्य: पूर्वकाल-क्रिया (Absolutive action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-√सृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), ‘having approached’; उपसर्ग: उप-

• स्व-पितरम्: his own father
• स्व-पितरम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्व (प्रातिपदिक) + पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘स्वः पितरम्’ (his own father)

• ब्रह्मणम्: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मणम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘स्वपितरम्’ इत्यस्य समानाधिकरण

• लोक-भावनम्: nourisher of the world
• लोक-भावनम्: विशेषण (Adjective of ‘ब्रह्मणम्’)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक) + भावन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘लोकस्य भावनः’ (nourisher/creator of the world)

Speaker

Suta (narrative voice describing the approach to Brahma within the Anukramanika-style summary)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Veda
• Vedanga

FAQs

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

It presents the ideal qualification for receiving Purāṇic and Vedic instruction: disciplined svādhyāya, deep śruti-based learning, and mastery of the Vedāṅgas, followed by humble approach to the source-teacher (here, Brahmā).

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

While not directly describing bhakti practices, it frames devotion through reverent submission to the guru and the divine order—approaching Brahmā as “lokabhāvana,” acknowledging sacred authority as the doorway to higher dharma and, ultimately, Vishnu-bhakti taught later in the Purāṇa.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes competence in the Vedāṅgas—the practical tools that support Vedic life and ritual such as Śikṣā (phonetics), Vyākaraṇa (grammar), Chandas (meter), Nirukta (etymology), Kalpa (ritual procedure), and Jyotiṣa (Vedic astrology).