Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 2

Janaka Instructs Śuka: Āśrama-Sequence, Guru-Dependence, and Marks of Liberation

Devanagari script

शिरसा चार्ध्यमादाय गुरुपुत्रं समभ्यगात् । महदासनमादाय सर्वरत्नतम् ॥ २ ॥

Transliteration

śirasā cārdhyamādāya guruputraṃ samabhyagāt | mahadāsanamādāya sarvaratnatam || 2 ||

Translation

اس نے اَرخْیَہ کو سر پر رکھ کر گرو کے بیٹے کے پاس حاضری دی؛ اور تمام جواہرات سے آراستہ ایک عالی شان بڑا آسن بھی (پیش کرنے کو) لے آیا۔

Word by Word

• शिरसा: with (his) head; bowing
• शिरसा: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिरस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; instrumental singular

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (and)

• अर्घ्यम्: arghya-offering (honorary water)
• अर्घ्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्घ्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; accusative singular

• आदाय: having taken
• आदाय: Pūrvakāla (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ+दा (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त-अव्यय (gerund); ‘having taken’

• गुरुपुत्रम्: the teacher’s son
• गुरुपुत्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु+पुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (षष्ठी: ‘गुरोः पुत्रः’) accusative singular

• समभ्यगात्: approached/went up to
• समभ्यगात्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+अभि+गम् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• महत्: great
• महत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; accusative singular (qualifying आसनम्)

• आसनम्: seat
• आसनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; accusative singular

• आदाय: having taken
• आदाय: Pūrvakāla (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: आ+दा (धातु)
• Form: ल्यप्-प्रत्ययान्त-अव्यय (gerund); ‘having taken’

• सर्वरत्नतम्: most precious (gem-like)/best of all jewels
• सर्वरत्नतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व+रत्न+तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष (समाहार/निर्धारण: ‘रत्नेषु सर्वेषु तमम्’ = most excellent among all gems) accusative singular (qualifying आसनम्, understood)

Speaker

Narada (narration within the Moksha-dharma discourse)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

Secondary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Characters & Entities

• Guruputra

FAQs

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

It highlights ācāra (right conduct): humility and reverence shown through arghya and offering a seat, portraying service to the guru’s line as a purifier supportive of mokṣa-oriented living.

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

Bhakti is expressed as respectful service (seva) and honoring sacred relationships; approaching with arghya and āsana reflects surrender and reverence, foundational devotional attitudes.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Kalpa-style ritual etiquette—formal procedures for reception (arghya, āsana) that align with dharmic conduct and traditional rites of honoring worthy persons.