Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 102

Threefold Suffering, Twofold Knowledge, and the Definition of Bhagavān (Vāsudeva); Prelude to Keśidhvaja–Janaka Yoga

Devanagari script

भजते प्राकृतान्धर्मान्न्यस्तस्तंभो हि सोऽव्ययः । तदेतत्कथितं बीजमविद्याया मया तव ॥ १०० ॥

Transliteration

bhajate prākṛtāndharmānnyastastaṃbho hi so'vyayaḥ | tadetatkathitaṃ bījamavidyāyā mayā tava || 100 ||

Translation

แม้ละทิ้งเสาหลักแห่งที่พึ่งแล้ว อาตมันอันไม่เสื่อมสลายก็ยังไปยึดถือธรรมอันเป็นปรกฤติ (ทางโลก) ข้อนี้เองที่เรากล่าวแก่ท่านว่าเป็นเมล็ดแห่งอวิทยา

Word by Word

• भजते: partakes of/associates with
• भजते: क्रिया (आख्यात)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्, आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• प्राकृतान्: natural/material
• प्राकृतान्: कर्म-विशेषण
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राकृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; ‘धर्मान्’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• धर्मान्: qualities
• धर्मान्: कर्म (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• न्यस्त-स्तम्भः: whose support is laid down/withdrawn
• न्यस्त-स्तम्भः: विशेषण (सः-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: न्यस्त + स्तम्भ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘न्यस्त’ = क्त (PPP) √न्यस्/अस् (to place/lay down); बहुव्रीहि (न्यस्तः स्तम्भः यस्य)

• हि: indeed
• हि: सम्बन्ध-निरूपक
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चय/हेतौ अव्यय

• सः: he/that (Self)
• सः: कर्ता (कर्तृ)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अव्ययः: imperishable
• अव्ययः: विशेषण (कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अव्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘सः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• तत्: that
• तत्: कर्म/उद्देश्य (contextual)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘एतत्’ इत्यनेन सह निर्देशः

• एतत्: this
• एतत्: कर्म (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘कथितम्’ इत्यस्य कर्म

• कथितम्: told/declared
• कथितम्: क्रियाविशेष (कर्मणि)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथ् (धातु)
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगः (has been told)

• बीजम्: seed/cause
• बीजम्: विधेय (predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बीज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘तद् एतत् कथितम्’ इत्यस्य विधेय/अपादेयार्थे

• अविद्यायाः: of ignorance
• अविद्यायाः: सम्बन्ध (षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अविद्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• मया: by me
• मया: कर्ता (करण-तृतीया; agent in passive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: उत्तमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, तृतीया, एकवचन

• तव: for you/of you
• तव: सम्प्रदान/सम्बन्ध (for you; genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: मध्यमपुरुष-सर्वनाम, षष्ठी, एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It identifies the root of bondage as avidyā: abandoning the true inner support of knowledge/discrimination and then engaging in merely worldly dharmas, which keeps the jīva oriented to prakṛti rather than liberation.

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

By implying that dharma without the right foundation becomes ignorance, it points toward grounding action in higher realization—classically fulfilled through devotion to the imperishable Lord (Vishnu) so that duties become offerings rather than worldly entanglements.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse is primarily mokṣa-focused rather than technical Vedāṅga instruction; the practical takeaway is discernment (viveka) in applying dharma—ensuring ritual/action is supported by right knowledge and intent, not mere worldly habit.