Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 126

Vāmana’s Advent, Aditi’s Hymn, Bali’s Gift, and the Mahatmya of Bhū-dāna

Devanagari script

महापातकयुक्तो वा युक्तो वा सर्वपातकैः । दशहस्तां महीं दत्त्वा सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

mahāpātakayukto vā yukto vā sarvapātakaiḥ | daśahastāṃ mahīṃ dattvā sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate || 26 ||

Translation

خواہ کوئی مہاپاتک میں آلودہ ہو یا ہر طرح کے گناہوں کے بوجھ تلے ہو—دس ہاتھ کے پیمانے کی زمین کا دان کرنے سے وہ تمام گناہوں سے رہائی پاتا ہے۔

Word by Word

• महापातकयुक्तः: one associated with great sins
• महापातकयुक्तः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महापातक + युक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—महापातकेन युक्तः (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-निपात (particle of alternative)

• युक्तः: associated/connected
• युक्तः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: युक्त (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; विशेषण

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: विकल्पार्थक-निपात (particle of alternative)

• सर्वपातकैः: with all sins
• सर्वपातकैः: Hetu/Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्वपातक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—सर्वे पातकानि (कर्मधारय)

• दशहस्ताम्: (land) of ten hands (measure)
• दशहस्ताम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दशहस्ता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; विशेषण; समासः—दश हस्ताः यस्याः सा (द्विगु/संख्यासमास)

• महीम्: earth/land
• महीम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• दत्त्वा: having given
• दत्त्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया/absolutive)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); धातुः—दा (दाने); अर्थः—‘having given’

• सर्वपापैः: from all sins
• सर्वपापैः: Apadana (अपादान/Separation-from)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्वपाप (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन; समासः—सर्वाणि पापानि (कर्मधारय)

• प्रमुच्यते: is freed
• प्रमुच्यते: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + मुच् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; आत्मनेपद; कर्मणि प्रयोग (passive): ‘is released’

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in a dharma-upadesha context)

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 elevates bhūmi-dāna (gift of land) as a powerful act of purification, presenting generosity as a dharmic remedy that counteracts even grave moral impurities.

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

While focused on dāna, it supports bhakti-oriented living by emphasizing selfless offering and surrender of possessions—virtues that purify the heart and make devotion steady.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects kalpa/prayoga (ritual procedure) principles: specifying a measurable standard (daśa-hasta) for a valid gift, indicating how dharma texts quantify and regulate acts of dāna.