Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16

Bhāgīratha’s Bringing of the Gaṅgā

Devanagari script

भव सत्यपरो राजन्नहिंसानिरतस्तथा । सर्वभूतहितो नित्यं मानृतं वद वै क्वचित् ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

bhava satyaparo rājannahiṃsāniratastathā | sarvabhūtahito nityaṃ mānṛtaṃ vada vai kvacit || 16 ||

Translation

اے راجن! سچائی کے پابند رہو اور اہنسا (عدمِ تشدد) میں بھی ثابت قدم رہو۔ ہمیشہ سب جانداروں کے بھلے میں لگے رہو؛ کبھی بھی جھوٹ نہ بولو۔

Word by Word

• भव: be
• भव: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √भू (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन

• सत्यपरः: devoted to truth
• सत्यपरः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य + पर (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सत्ये परः = devoted to truth)

• राजन्: O king
• राजन्: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/Vocative), एकवचन

• अहिंसानिरतः: engaged in non-violence
• अहिंसानिरतः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अहिंसा + निरत (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अहिंसायां निरतः)

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: प्रकारवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: likewise)

• सर्वभूतहितः: beneficial to all beings
• सर्वभूतहितः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + भूत + हित (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सर्वेषां भूतानां हितः)

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाववत् क्रियाविशेषणरूपेण (adverbial accusative: always)

• मा: do not
• मा: Pratishedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: मा (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय (prohibitive particle)

• अनृतम्: falsehood
• अनृतम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अनृत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• वद: speak
• वद: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वद् (धातु)
• Form: लोट् (Imperative), परस्मैपद, मध्यमपुरुष (2nd person), एकवचन

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: निश्चयार्थक/खल्वर्थक-अव्यय (emphatic particle)

• क्वचित्: ever/at any time
• क्वचित्: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: क्वचित् (अव्यय)
• Form: देश/कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb: ever/at any time)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada; addressed as 'O King' as a didactic address to a ruler/ideal listener)

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 defines core dharma as inner and outer integrity—truthfulness (satya), non-violence (ahiṁsā), and universal benevolence (sarvabhūta-hita)—as the foundation for spiritual purity and right living.

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

Bhakti is sustained by sattvic conduct: speaking truth, avoiding harm, and working for others’ welfare. Such virtues purify the heart, making devotion to Bhagavan stable and sincere.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Not a technical Vedanga lesson; it emphasizes applied dharma in speech (vāṅmaya-niyama)—truthful, non-harmful communication—supporting disciplined life alongside Vedic study and practice.