Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 153

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

Devanagari script

सर्वशास्त्रार्थवेत्तापि दरिद्रो भाति मूर्खवत् । नैष्किञ्चन्यमहाग्राहग्रस्तानां को विमोचकः ॥ ५३ ॥

Transliteration

sarvaśāstrārthavettāpi daridro bhāti mūrkhavat | naiṣkiñcanyamahāgrāhagrastānāṃ ko vimocakaḥ || 53 ||

Translation

సర్వశాస్త్రార్థవేత్త అయినా దరిద్రుడైతే మూర్ఖుడిలా కనిపిస్తాడు. ‘నైష్కిఞ్చన్య’ అనే మహాగ్రాహం పట్టుకున్నవారిని ఎవరు విడిపిస్తారు?

Word by Word

• सर्वशास्त्रार्थवेत्ता: even a knower of all scriptural meanings
• सर्वशास्त्रार्थवेत्ता: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व + शास्त्र + अर्थ + वेत्ता (प्रातिपदिक; वेत्ता from विद्)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः: सर्व-शास्त्र-अर्थ-वेत्ता ‘knower of meanings of all śāstras’

• अपि: even
• अपि: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle)

• दरिद्रः: a poor man
• दरिद्रः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दरिद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• भाति: appears; seems
• भाति: क्रिया (Kriyā/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भा (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd), एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• मूर्खवत्: like a fool
• मूर्खवत्: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मूर्ख + वत् (प्रातिपदिक/तद्धित)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable) used adverbially; वत्-suffix ‘like’

• नैष्किञ्चन्य: of poverty/utter lack
• नैष्किञ्चन्य: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नैष्किञ्चन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन (Plural) as first member in compound context

• महाग्राह: of the great crocodile
• महाग्राह: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + ग्राह (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (in compound context)

• ग्रस्तानाम्: of those seized
• ग्रस्तानाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ग्रस् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (Past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; qualifies an implied ‘people’

• को: who?
• को: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• विमोचकः: a liberator; rescuer
• विमोचकः: प्रेडिकेट-नाम (Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विमोचक (प्रातिपदिक; from मुच् with वि-)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It highlights how severe poverty can eclipse even scriptural learning in society and can become a powerful bondage; it implicitly points to seeking a higher refuge and inner freedom beyond external conditions.

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

By portraying destitution as a ‘great crocodile’ that grips the mind and life, the verse suggests the need for a liberating power greater than worldly supports—classically fulfilled through surrender and steady devotion to the Lord as the ultimate protector.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana, Jyotisha, or Kalpa) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is ethical realism—scriptural knowledge must be supported by right livelihood, dana (charity), and disciplined living to prevent worldly distress from overwhelming dharma.