Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 173

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

Devanagari script

तपश्चरिष्येमोक्षाय देहि मे त्रिपदां महीम् । वैरोचनिस्ततो दृष्टः कलशं जलपूरितम् ॥ ७३ ॥

Transliteration

tapaścariṣyemokṣāya dehi me tripadāṃ mahīm | vairocanistato dṛṣṭaḥ kalaśaṃ jalapūritam || 73 ||

Translation

“ข้าพเจ้าจะบำเพ็ญตบะเพื่อโมกษะ โปรดประทานแผ่นดินสามก้าวแก่ข้าพเจ้า” ครั้นแล้วโอรสแห่งวิโรจนะ (พญาพลี) ปรากฏพร้อมหม้อน้ำเต็ม เพื่อเตรียมประกอบพิธีทาน

Word by Word

• तपः: austerity
• तपः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• चरिष्ये: I will practice
• चरिष्ये: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: चर् (धातु)
• Form: लृट्-लकार (भविष्यत्), उत्तम-पुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपद

• मोक्षाय: for liberation
• मोक्षाय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मोक्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (प्रयोजन/सम्प्रदान), एकवचन

• देहि: give
• देहि: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (आज्ञार्थ), मध्यम-पुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद

• मे: to me
• मे: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी/षष्ठी-एकवचन (enclitic); अत्र चतुर्थी (सम्प्रदान)

• त्रिपदाम्: three-stepped (measured in three strides)
• त्रिपदाम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: त्रि + पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्विगु-समास (त्रीणि पदानि यस्याः), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (महीम्)

• महीम्: the earth
• महीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• वैरोचनिः: Vairochani (Bali)
• वैरोचनिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैरोचनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• ततः: then/thereupon
• ततः: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• दृष्टः: was seen / appeared
• दृष्टः: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मणि/भावे प्रयोगः

• कलशम्: a pot
• कलशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), एकवचन

• जलपूरितम्: filled with water
• जलपूरितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जल + पूरित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (जलेन पूरितम्), क्त-कृदन्ताधारित विशेषण, नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (कलशम्)

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Vāmana–Bali episode as part of the Purva-bhāga narration)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Bali
• Virocana
• Vāmana (Vishnu)

FAQs

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

It highlights the meeting-point of tapas (austerity for moksha) and dāna (sacred gifting): the aspirant’s vow is tested through selfless offering, shown by Bali preparing the water-pot to formalize the gift.

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

Bali’s readiness to give—symbolized by the jalapūrita-kalaśa used in donation rites—reflects surrender and faith in Vishnu’s will, a core bhakti attitude even when the request appears materially costly.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It points to ritual procedure (kalpa/ācāra): gifts are traditionally confirmed with udaka (water) using a kalaśa, indicating formal sankalpa and dāna-vidhi rather than a casual promise.