Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 10

Nirukta, Phonetic Variants, and Vedic Dhātu–Svara Taxonomy

Devanagari script

कर्णेभिश्च यशोभाग्य इत्याद्याश्चतुरक्षरम् । देवासोऽथो सर्वदेवतातित्वावत इत्यपि ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

karṇebhiśca yaśobhāgya ityādyāścaturakṣaram | devāso'tho sarvadevatātitvāvata ityapi || 10 ||

Translation

At (ang banal na pormula) na nagsisimula sa “karṇebhiḥ” at “yaśo-bhāgya,” pati ang iba pang mga mantrang may apat na pantig; gayundin (yaong) nagsisimula sa “devāsaḥ,” at maging (yaong) nagpapahayag ng “pagkakaloob ng kalagayang lumalampas sa lahat ng mga diyos”—ang mga ito rin ay dapat maunawaan sa araling ito.

Word by Word

• कर्णेभिः: with ears
• कर्णेभिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चय (conjunction)

• यशोभाग्य: ‘yaśo-bhāgya’ (fame-and-fortune)
• यशोभाग्य: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यशस् + भाग्य (प्रातिपदिक; समाहार-द्वन्द्व/समुच्चय)
• Form: प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.) एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter) — as a cited word-form; “fame and fortune”

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण-चिह्न (quotative)

• आद्याः: beginning with (such forms)
• आद्याः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आद्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine)

• चतुरक्षरम्: four-syllabled
• चतुरक्षरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर् + अक्षर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वितीया (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन (Singular), नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter) — “having four syllables/letters”

• देवासः: the gods (Vedic form devāsaḥ)
• देवासः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा (Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine); वैदिक-प्रथमा-बहुवचन (Vedic nom. pl.)

• अथो: also, moreover
• अथो: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथो (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle) — “and then/also/indeed”

• सर्वदेवतातित्वावतः: ‘sarva-devatā-titva-vat’ (possessing all-deity-ness)
• सर्वदेवतातित्वावतः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + देवता + तित्व + वत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा/द्वितीया (Nom./Acc.) एकवचन (Singular), पुल्लिङ्ग (Masculine) — as a cited word-form; तद्धितान्त (vat) “possessing the state of being all-deities”

• इति: thus
• इति: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; उद्धरण-चिह्न (quotative)

• अपि: also
• अपि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अपि (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (particle) — “also/even”

Speaker

Narada (within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue context typical of this section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It indicates that specific short, potent mantra-phrases (noted by their opening words) are recognized as valid spiritual supports, capable of conferring worldly auspiciousness (fame, fortune) and pointing toward transcendence beyond limited deity-identifications.

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

By highlighting concise mantra-utterances, the verse supports bhakti as steady remembrance and recitation—devotion expressed through sound (nāma/mantra) that elevates the mind from benefits toward the highest, all-transcending divine reality.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The practical focus is on mantra-structure and phonetic precision—counting syllables (catur-akṣara) and identifying mantras by their incipits—linking to Śikṣā (phonetics) and Vyākaraṇa (correct forms) for accurate recitation.