Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 36

Bharata’s Attachment and the Palanquin Teaching on ‘I’ and ‘Mine’

Devanagari script

तदप्यसंस्कारगुणं ग्रामभाषोक्तिसंयुतम् । अपद्धस्तवपुः सोऽपि मलिनांबरधृङ् मुने ॥ ३६ ॥

Transliteration

tadapyasaṃskāraguṇaṃ grāmabhāṣoktisaṃyutam | apaddhastavapuḥ so'pi malināṃbaradhṛṅ mune || 36 ||

Translation

แม้ถ้อยคำของเขาก็ปราศจากความประณีตทางวัฒนธรรม ปะปนด้วยสำนวนบ้าน ๆ; โอ้มุนี รูปลักษณ์ของเขาก็รุงรังไม่เรียบร้อย และสวมอาภรณ์ที่เปื้อนหมองด้วย.

Word by Word

• तत्: that
• तत्: Karma (कर्म/Object; resumptive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘that’ (referring to his speech/behavior)

• अपि: also/even
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अप्यर्थ (also/even)

• असंस्कारगुणम्: having the quality of being unrefined
• असंस्कारगुणम्: Karma (कर्म/Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-संस्कार-गुण (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; समास-विग्रहः: असंस्कारः गुणः यस्य/असंस्कारगुणयुक्तम्

• ग्रामभाषोक्तिसंयुतम्: mixed with rustic speech/expressions
• ग्रामभाषोक्तिसंयुतम्: Karma (कर्म/Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ग्राम-भाषा-उक्ति-संयुत (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; ‘संयुत’ = क्त (ppp) from √युज्; समास-विग्रहः: ग्रामभाषायाः उक्त्या संयुतम्

• अपद्धस्तवपुः: with unkempt body and hands
• अपद्धस्तवपुः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-पद्ध-हस्त-वपुस् (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः: ‘whose hands/body are not properly arranged/kept’ (ill-groomed)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अप्यर्थ

• मलिनाम्बरधृक्: wearing dirty garments
• मलिनाम्बरधृक्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मलिन-अम्बर-धृक् (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः: मलिनम् अम्बरं धारयति इति (धृक् = धारक)

• मुने: O sage
• मुने: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (addressing Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It cautions that a seeker should value saṃskāra—refined speech and disciplined conduct—because inner clarity is often reflected in outward order, cleanliness, and cultured expression.

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

Bhakti in the Narada Purana is not mere emotion; it is supported by sadācāra (proper conduct). Unrefined speech and negligence in cleanliness can obstruct steadiness of mind needed for sincere devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It implicitly points to Śikṣā (proper pronunciation) and Vyākaraṇa (refined, correct language): disciplined speech is treated as a practical aid to dharma and spiritual practice.