Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

Kalpa-Lakṣaṇa and Gṛhya-Kalpa: Classifications, Purifications, Implements, and Spatial Rite-Design

Devanagari script

कृत्वा प्रोक्तानि कर्माणि तदूर्द्ध्वानि करोति यः । सोऽथ शब्दं प्रयुञ्जीत तदानन्त्यार्थमिष्यते ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

kṛtvā proktāni karmāṇi tadūrddhvāni karoti yaḥ | so'tha śabdaṃ prayuñjīta tadānantyārthamiṣyate || 11 ||

Translation

جو پہلے بتائے گئے اعمال ادا کر کے پھر بلندتر (لطیف) سادھناؤں میں لگتا ہے، اسے اس کے بعد مقدّس شبد کو برتنا چاہیے؛ کیونکہ یہ اننت (لامحدود) تک پہنچانے کے لیے مقرر ہے۔

Word by Word

• कृत्वा: having done
• कृत्वा: Kriya (क्रिया; पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive/gerund), ‘having done’

• प्रोक्तानि: prescribed/uttered
• प्रोक्तानि: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्र-वच् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; कर्माणि इति विशेषण

• कर्माणि: rites/actions
• कर्माणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन

• तत्: those
• तत्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; सर्वनाम-विशेषण

• ऊर्द्ध्वानि: subsequent/afterwards (higher)
• ऊर्द्ध्वानि: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ऊर्द्ध्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), बहुवचन; विशेषण

• करोति: does/performs
• करोति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सम्बन्धबोधक-सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; निर्देश-सर्वनाम (correlative)

• अथ: then
• अथ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अनन्तरार्थक-अव्यय (then)

• शब्दम्: the word/sound
• शब्दम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• प्रयुञ्जीत: should employ/utter
• प्रयुञ्जीत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-युज् (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• तदा: then
• तदा: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (at that time/then)

• अनन्त्य: of endlessness/infinitude
• अनन्त्य: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनन्त्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन; अर्थ इति सम्बन्ध

• अर्थम्: meaning/purpose
• अर्थम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• इष्यते: is accepted/is intended
• इष्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: इष् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; भावे/कर्मणि-प्रयोगः (is considered/accepted)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

FAQs

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

It outlines a graded path: after completing prescribed karmas, one should take up higher practice centered on śabda (sacred sound), because śabda is presented as a means oriented toward realizing the Infinite.

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

By emphasizing śabda as a spiritual tool, the verse supports bhakti practices like nāma-japa and mantra—using sacred sound after purification through dharma-karmas, so the mind can rest in the limitless reality.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Śabda points to the discipline of Vyākaraṇa (grammar) and correct mantra-usage—proper application of sacred sound after due ritual preparation, aligning speech and meaning toward a liberating aim.