Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 37

Ekādaśī Vrata-Vidhi and the Galava–Bhadrashīla Itihāsa

Dharmakīrti before Yama

Devanagari script

जांतिस्मरो महाभागो नारायणपरायणः । बालक्रीडनकालेऽपि भद्रशीलो महामतिः ॥ ३७ ॥

Transliteration

jāṃtismaro mahābhāgo nārāyaṇaparāyaṇaḥ | bālakrīḍanakāle'pi bhadraśīlo mahāmatiḥ || 37 ||

Translation

అతడు పూర్వజన్మస్మరణ కలవాడు, మహాభాగ్యశాలి, నారాయణుని పరమాశ్రయుడు. బాల్యక్రీడల సమయంలో కూడా భద్రశీలుడు మహామతి, సద్ఆచారసంపన్నుడు.

Word by Word

• जाति-स्मरः: one who remembers (past) births
• जाति-स्मरः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जाति (प्रातिपदिक) + स्मर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—जातिं स्मरति इति (उपपद-तत्पुरुष)

• महाभागः: very fortunate/noble
• महाभागः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाभाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—महान् भागः यस्य (कर्मधारय-प्रयोगः)

• नारायण-परायणः: devoted to Nārāyaṇa
• नारायण-परायणः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नारायण (प्रातिपदिक) + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—नारायणे परायणः (तत्पुरुष)

• बाल-क्रीडन-काले: in the time of childhood play
• बाल-क्रीडन-काले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण—काल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बाल (प्रातिपदिक) + क्रीडन (प्रातिपदिक) + काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन; समासः—बालस्य क्रीडनकालः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• अपि: even/also
• अपि: Nipata (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle; ‘even/also’)

• भद्रशीलः: Bhadraśīla
• भद्रशीलः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भद्रशील (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• महामतिः: great-minded/very intelligent
• महामतिः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महामति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—महा + मति (कर्मधारय)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Narayaṇa

FAQs

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

The verse marks the devotee’s spiritual ripeness: remembrance of past births and unwavering refuge in Nārāyaṇa manifest outwardly as noble conduct and elevated understanding, even from childhood.

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

It presents bhakti as parāyaṇatā—exclusive orientation to Nārāyaṇa—showing that true devotion is not occasional ritual alone but a continuous inner alignment that naturally shapes one’s character.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is ethical discipline (sadācāra) as the lived foundation that supports mantra, worship, and other Vedic practices.