Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 145

Vāmana’s Advent, Aditi’s Hymn, Bali’s Gift, and the Mahatmya of Bhū-dāna

Devanagari script

नरस्य बह्वपत्यस्य धिग्जन्मैश्वर्यवार्जितम् । अहो गुणाः सौम्यता च विद्वत्ता जन्म सत्कुले ॥ ४५ ॥

Transliteration

narasya bahvapatyasya dhigjanmaiśvaryavārjitam | aho guṇāḥ saumyatā ca vidvattā janma satkule || 45 ||

Translation

แม้เป็นชายผู้มีบุตรมาก หากปราศจากความรุ่งเรืองและศักดิ์ศรีแห่งตระกูลอันดี การเกิดนั้นก็น่าติเตียน. อา คุณธรรมช่างน่าสรรเสริญ—ความอ่อนโยน ความรู้ และการเกิดในสกุลอันประเสริฐ

Word by Word

• नरस्य: of a man
• नरस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• बहु: many
• बहु: —
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रातिपदिक (compound member)

• अपत्यस्य: of offspring
• अपत्यस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अपत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; ‘बह्वपत्यस्य’ इति समासवत् प्रयोगः

• धिक्: fie!
• धिक्: Bhava-prakashana (भाव-प्रकाशन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: धिक् (अव्यय)
• Form: निन्दार्थक-निपात

• जन्म: birth
• जन्म: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ऐश्वर्य: lordship; prosperity
• ऐश्वर्य: —
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऐश्वर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रातिपदिक (compound member)

• वार्जितम्: deprived of prosperity
• वार्जितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर्जित (प्रातिपदिक; √वर्ज् + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; तृतीया-तत्पुरुषः (ऐश्वर्येण वर्जितम् = deprived of prosperity)

• अहो: ah! indeed!
• अहो: Bhava-prakashana (भाव-प्रकाशन)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अहो (अव्यय)
• Form: विस्मयार्थक-निपात (interjection of wonder)

• गुणाः: qualities
• गुणाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• सौम्यता: gentleness
• सौम्यता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सौम्यता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-निपात

• विद्वत्ता: learning; scholarship
• विद्वत्ता: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विद्वत्ता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• जन्म: birth
• जन्म: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जन्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• सत्: good; noble
• सत्: —
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रातिपदिक (compound member)

• कुले: in a good family
• कुले: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘सत्कुले’ इति समासवत् प्रयोगः

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: raudra

FAQs

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

It elevates inner qualities—virtue, gentleness, and learning—as the true markers of worth, implying that mere social status or progeny without dharmic excellence is spiritually hollow.

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

While not naming Vishnu directly, it supports Bhakti by valuing saumyatā (humility and softness) and vidvattā (right understanding), which are foundational dispositions for sincere devotion and disciplined practice.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Vidvattā implies disciplined study—especially of śāstra supported by Vedāṅga tools like Vyākaraṇa (grammar) and Śikṣā (phonetics)—so that conduct aligns with Dharma rather than mere lineage-pride.