Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 54

Anūcāna (True Learning), the Vedāṅgas, and Śikṣā: Svara, Sāmavedic Chant, and Gandharva Theory

Devanagari script

गांधारस्याधिपत्येन निषादस्य गतागतैः । धैवतस्य च दौर्बल्यान्मध्यमग्राम उच्यते ॥ ५३ ॥

Transliteration

gāṃdhārasyādhipatyena niṣādasya gatāgataiḥ | dhaivatasya ca daurbalyānmadhyamagrāma ucyate || 53 ||

Translation

เพราะคันธาระเป็นใหญ่ นิษาทะเคลื่อนไปมา และธัยวตะอ่อนกำลัง จึงเรียกระบบนี้ว่า ‘มัธยมะ-ครามะ’ (สเกลกลาง).

Word by Word

• gāṃdhārasya: of Gāndhāra
• gāṃdhārasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gāṃdhāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• ādhipatyena: by/through dominance
• ādhipatyena: Karana (करण/instrument-cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ādhipatya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• niṣādasya: of Niṣāda
• niṣādasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: niṣāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• gatāgataiḥ: by movements to-and-fro
• gatāgataiḥ: Karana (करण/means)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gata (कृदन्त; √gam/गम्) + āgata (कृदन्त; √ā-gam/आगम्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार-द्वन्द्व), तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वः (गत + आगत = coming and going)

• dhaivatasya: of Dhaivata
• dhaivatasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhaivata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक (conjunction)

• daurbalyāt: due to weakness
• daurbalyāt: Hetu/Apadana (हेतु/अपादान; cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daurbalya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, पञ्चमी (5th/Ablative), एकवचन

• madhyama-grāmaḥ: the Madhyama-grāma (scale)
• madhyama-grāmaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: madhyama (प्रातिपदिक) + grāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (मध्यमः ग्रामा = the Madhyama scale/cluster)

• ucyate: is called
• ucyate: Kriya (क्रिया/predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), कर्मणि-प्रयोग (Passive), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (in dialogue teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Gandhara
• Nishada
• Dhaivata
• Madhyama-grama

FAQs

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

It frames sacred sound as a disciplined science: when notes are properly arranged (a grāma), sound becomes orderly and fit to support mantra, concentration, and inner steadiness—auxiliary to mokṣa-oriented practice.

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

While not directly preaching bhakti, it supports devotional practice by clarifying how regulated nāda (musical/intonational order) can refine singing, recitation, and praise—helping the mind stay absorbed in the Lord during kīrtana and stotra.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights Śikṣā-style sound discipline and Gandharva-Veda music theory: defining Madhyama-grāma through predominance (Gāndhāra), oscillation (Niṣāda), and weakening/lowering (Dhaivata).