Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 56

Nirukta, Phonetic Variants, and Vedic Dhātu–Svara Taxonomy

Devanagari script

अष्टिघावनुदात्तेतौ धातू द्वौ परिकीर्तितौ । परस्मैपदिनस्त्वत्र तिकाद्यास्तु चतुर्दश ॥ ५६ ॥

Transliteration

aṣṭighāvanudāttetau dhātū dvau parikīrtitau | parasmaipadinastvatra tikādyāstu caturdaśa || 56 ||

Translation

ఇక్కడ ‘అష్టి’ మరియు ‘ఘావ’ అనే రెండు ధాతువులు అనుదాత్తేత-లక్షణములని కీర్తించబడినవి. ఈ సందర్భములో ‘తిక’ మొదలైన పరస్మైపద ధాతువులు పద్నాలుగు అని చెప్పబడినవి.

Word by Word

• aṣṭi: (the root) ‘aṣṭi’
• aṣṭi: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṣṭi (प्रातिपदिक/धातुनाम)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); dhātu-nāma (root-name)

• ghāva: (the root) ‘ghāva’
• ghāva: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ghāva (प्रातिपदिक/धातुनाम)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); dhātu-nāma (root-name)

• anudāttetaḥ: starting from ‘anudātta’
• anudāttetaḥ: Apādāna (अपादान)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: anudātta + itaḥ (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Adverbial ablatival form (तसिल्/ablative adverb), ‘from/starting with anudātta’

• etau: these two
• etau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: etad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन)

• dhātū: two roots
• dhātū: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhātu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन)

• dvau: two
• dvau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dvi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Numeral (संख्यावाचक), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन) — agreeing with dhātū

• parikīrtitau: are proclaimed
• parikīrtitau: Pradhāna-viśeṣaṇa (मुख्यविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pari-kīrt (धातु) + ta (क्त) → parikīrtita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Past passive participle (क्त/PPP), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Dual (द्विवचन)

• parasmaipadinaḥ: Parasmaipada (active) verbs
• parasmaipadinaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parasmaipadin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• tu: but/indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• atra: here
• atra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण)

• tikādyāḥ: those beginning with ‘tikā’
• tikādyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tikā + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Plural (बहुवचन)

• tu: indeed
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• caturdaśa: fourteen
• caturdaśa: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: caturdaśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Saṅkhyā-vācaka (numeral/संख्यावाचक), Nominative (प्रथमा) Plural (बहुवचन), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग) — agreeing with tikādyāḥ

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a Vedanga/Vyakarana context, traditionally within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue frame)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It emphasizes precise Vedic recitation and grammatical accuracy—especially accent (anudātta) and verb classification—supporting correct mantra-prayoga, which the tradition treats as essential for dharma and higher realization.

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

Indirectly: bhakti practices rely on properly voiced names and mantras; this verse highlights the Vedanga foundation (grammar/phonetics) that safeguards devotional recitation from error.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vyākaraṇa and Śikṣā: classification of dhātus, parasmaipada usage, and the role of Vedic accent (anudātta) in correct pronunciation and textual tradition.