Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16

Matsya-purāṇa Anukramaṇikā

Synopsis / Table of Contents

Devanagari script

षष्टीव्रतानां माहात्म्यं तथा स्नानविधिकमः । प्रयागस्य तु माहात्म्यं द्वीपलोकानुवर्णनम् ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

ṣaṣṭīvratānāṃ māhātmyaṃ tathā snānavidhikamaḥ | prayāgasya tu māhātmyaṃ dvīpalokānuvarṇanam || 16 ||

Translation

กล่าวถึงมหิมาแห่งพรตษัษฐี (Ṣaṣṭī-vrata) และลำดับพิธีอาบน้ำศักดิ์สิทธิ์; อีกทั้งมหิมาแห่งประยาค (Prayāga) และคำพรรณนาถึงทวีปและโลกต่าง ๆ

Word by Word

• षष्टीव्रतानाम्: of the Ṣaṣṭhī-vows
• षष्टीव्रतानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: षष्ठी-व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग/पुंलिङ्ग (व्रत-शब्दः नपुंसकः), षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (ṣaṣṭhī = sixth lunar day + vrata)

• माहात्म्यम्: the greatness (glory)
• माहात्म्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माहात्म्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• तथा: also
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (also)

• स्नानविधिक्रमः: the procedure of bathing rules
• स्नानविधिक्रमः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्नान-विधि-क्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (snāna = bathing + vidhi = rule + krama = procedure/sequence)

• प्रयागस्य: of Prayāga
• प्रयागस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रयाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th), एकवचन

• तु: and/but
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विरोध/विशेष (particle: but/indeed)

• माहात्म्यम्: the greatness
• माहात्म्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माहात्म्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन

• द्वीपलोकानुवर्णनम्: description of continents and worlds
• द्वीपलोकानुवर्णनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वीप-लोक-अनुवर्णन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (dvīpa = continent/island + loka = worlds/regions + anuvarṇana = detailed description)

Speaker

Suta (Anukramanika-style chapter summary narration)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Ṣaṣṭī-vratas (group of sixth-day observances)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Prayaga

FAQs

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

It functions as an Anukramanika (contents summary), highlighting that vows (vrata), purificatory bathing (snāna-vidhi), sacred geography (Prayāga), and cosmology (dvīpas and lokas) are key vehicles for dharma and purification in this section.

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

By foregrounding vrata and tīrtha-mahātmya, it points to devotional practice through disciplined observances and pilgrimage—traditional bhakti-supporting means that purify the mind and orient it toward the divine.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure is emphasized through snāna-vidhi-krama (stepwise rules for bathing), reflecting applied dharma-śāstra style practice rather than a specific Vedāṅga like Vyākaraṇa; it is practical ritual instruction.