Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 126

Vāmana’s Advent, Aditi’s Hymn, Bali’s Gift, and the Mahatmya of Bhū-dāna

Devanagari script

महापातकयुक्तो वा युक्तो वा सर्वपातकैः । दशहस्तां महीं दत्त्वा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

mahāpātakayukto vā yukto vā sarvapātakaiḥ | daśahastāṃ mahīṃ dattvā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate || 26 ||

Translation

మహాపాతకంతో కలుషితుడైనా, అన్ని రకాల పాపాలతో భారపడినవాడైనా—పది హస్తాల పరిమాణమైన భూమిని దానం చేస్తే అతడు సమస్త పాపాల నుండి విముక్తుడవుతాడు.

Word by Word

• महापातकयुक्तः: one associated with great sins
• महापातकयुक्तः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महापातक + युक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—महापातकेन युक्तः (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-निपात (particle of alternative)

• युक्तः: associated/connected
• युक्तः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-निपात (particle of alternative)

• सर्वपातकैः: with all sins
• सर्वपातकैः: Hetu/Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्वपातक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—सर्वे पातकानि (कर्मधारय)

• दशहस्ताम्: (land) of ten hands (measure)
• दशहस्ताम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दशहस्ता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—दश हस्ताः यस्याः सा (द्विगु/संख्यासमास)

• महीम्: earth/land
• महीम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• दत्त्वा: having given
• दत्त्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया/absolutive)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); धातुः—दा (दाने); अर्थः—‘having given’

• सर्वपापैः: from all sins
• सर्वपापैः: Apadana (अपादान/Separation-from)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्वपाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—सर्वाणि पापानि (कर्मधारय)

• प्रमुच्यते: is freed
• प्रमुच्यते: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + मुच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive): ‘is released’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a dharma-upadesha context)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It elevates bhūmi-dāna (gift of land) as a powerful act of purification, presenting generosity as a dharmic remedy that counteracts even grave moral impurities.

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

While focused on dāna, it supports bhakti-oriented living by emphasizing selfless offering and surrender of possessions—virtues that purify the heart and make devotion steady.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects kalpa/prayoga (ritual procedure) principles: specifying a measurable standard (daśa-hasta) for a valid gift, indicating how dharma texts quantify and regulate acts of dāna.