Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5

Gaṅgā-māhātmya: Bāhu’s Envy, Defeat, Forest Exile, and Aurva’s Dharmic Consolation

Devanagari script

अश्वमेधैरियाजासौ सप्तद्वीपेषु सप्तभिः । अतर्प्पयद्भूमिदेवान् गोभूस्वर्णांशुकादिभिः ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

aśvamedhairiyājāsau saptadvīpeṣu saptabhiḥ | atarppayadbhūmidevān gobhūsvarṇāṃśukādibhiḥ || 5 ||

Translation

Isinagawa niya ang pitong Aśvamedha na paghahandog sa pitong kontinente, at pinasaya niya ang “mga diyos sa lupa,” ang mga Brahmana, sa pamamagitan ng mga kaloob na gaya ng baka, lupa, ginto, kasuotan, at iba pa.

Word by Word

• अश्वमेधैः: by Aśvamedha sacrifices

• इयाज: he performed sacrifice/he worshipped through yajña

• असौ: he (that person)

• सप्तद्वीपेषु: in the seven dvīpas (continents)

• सप्तभिः: with seven (rites/sacrifices)

• अतर्प्पयत्: he satisfied/propitiated

• भूमिदेवान्: the ‘earth-gods’ (Brāhmaṇas)

• गोभू: cows and land

• स्वर्ण: gold

• अंशुक: garments/cloth

• आदिभिः: and other such (gifts).

Speaker

Suta (narrative voice in Purana-style recitation; verse describes a king’s merit)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Bhumideva (Brahmanas)
• Ashvamedha

FAQs

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

It presents the classical Purāṇic model of royal dharma: performing Vedic yajñas and completing them with dāna to the brāhmaṇas—called ‘bhumidevas’—so that ritual power is aligned with generosity and social-spiritual support.

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

While not explicitly naming a deity, it supports the bhakti-friendly ethic that worship is not only ritual performance but also selfless giving and honoring the spiritually learned—an outward expression of reverence that purifies the doer.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It points to Śrauta-ritual discipline (yajña procedure and completion through dakṣiṇā/dāna), which relies on Vedāṅga supports such as Kalpa (ritual manuals) and correct recitation/usage guided by Śikṣā and Vyākaraṇa.