Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 77

Dharma-ākhyāna (Discourse on Dharma): Worthy Charity, Fruitless Gifts, and the Merit of Building Ponds

Devanagari script

सरसीं बद्धसु शिलां चकारागाधशम्बराम् । तां विनिर्माय सरसीं राज्ञे सर्वं न्यवेदयत् ॥ ७८ ॥

Transliteration

sarasīṃ baddhasu śilāṃ cakārāgādhaśambarām | tāṃ vinirmāya sarasīṃ rājñe sarvaṃ nyavedayat || 78 ||

Translation

Gumawa siya ng lawa sa pamamagitan ng pagtatambak ng mga bato bilang pilapil, upang ito’y maging malalim at maayos na napipigil. Nang matapos ang lawa, iniulat niya ang lahat sa hari.

Word by Word

• sarasīm: lake
• sarasīm: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarasī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• baddhasuśilām: built with good stones
• baddhasuśilām: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: baddhasuśilā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (Analyzed as compound despite input spacing)

• cakāra: made/constructed
• cakāra: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha, Singular

• agādhaśambarām: having deep water
• agādhaśambarām: Visheshana (Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: agādhaśambarā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• tām: that
• tām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• vinirmāya: having constructed
• vinirmāya: Purvakala-kriya
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vi-nir-mā (धातु)
• Form: Lyap Pratyaya (Absolutive)

• sarasīm: lake
• sarasīm: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarasī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• rājñe: to the king
• rājñe: Sampradana (Recipient)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular

• sarvam: everything
• sarvam: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• nyavedayat: reported/informed
• nyavedayat: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-vid (धातु)
• Form: Lang Lakara (Imperfect), Causative, Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha, Singular

Speaker

Narrator (Purāṇic narrative voice, traditionally Sūta)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• King (rājā)

FAQs

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

It highlights dharma through loka-hita (public welfare): creating a secure, deep water source is a meritorious act (puṇya) and an expression of righteous responsibility.

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

Though not explicitly devotional, it supports bhakti’s ethical foundation: serving living beings—especially by providing water—aligns one’s actions with dharma, which purifies the mind for devotion to Viṣṇu.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Indirectly, it reflects applied discipline and correct execution of works (karma): planning, construction, and accountability—skills that complement ritual orderliness emphasized in Vedic practice, though no specific Vedāṅga is explicitly named.