Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 14

Nārada’s Hymn to Viṣṇu

Nāradasya Viṣṇu-stavaḥ

Devanagari script

उत्तीर्य सन्ध्योपास्त्यादि कृत्वाचारं स्वकं द्विजाः । कथां प्रचक्रुर्विविधाः नारायणगुणाश्रिताः ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

uttīrya sandhyopāstyādi kṛtvācāraṃ svakaṃ dvijāḥ | kathāṃ pracakrurvividhāḥ nārāyaṇaguṇāśritāḥ || 14 ||

Translation

سْنان سے نکل کر دْوِجوں نے سندھیا-اُپاسنا وغیرہ اپنے مقررہ آچار ادا کیے؛ پھر نارائن کے گُنوں پر مبنی طرح طرح کی کَتھا اور گفتگو شروع کی۔

Word by Word

• uttīrya: Having crossed/come out (of water)
• uttīrya: Purvakalika Kriya (Prior Action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ud + tṝ (धातु)
• Form: Lyap Pratyaya (Gerund)

• sandhyopāstyādi: Sandhya worship and other rituals
• sandhyopāstyādi: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sandhyopāstyādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• kṛtvā: Having done
• kṛtvā: Purvakalika Kriya (Prior Action)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Ktva Pratyaya (Gerund)

• ācāram: Customary conduct/rites
• ācāram: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ācāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• svakam: Their own
• svakam: Visheshana (Qualifier to ācāram)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: svaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• dvijāḥ: The Twice-borns (Brahmins)
• dvijāḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• kathām: Story/Conversation
• kathām: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kathā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• pracakruḥ: They made/did
• pracakruḥ: Kriya (Action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra + kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Lit Lakara (Perfect), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha, Plural

• vividhāḥ: Diverse/Various
• vividhāḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier to dvijāḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vividha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• nārāyaṇaguṇāśritāḥ: Resting on the qualities of Narayana
• nārāyaṇaguṇāśritāḥ: Visheshana (Qualifier to dvijāḥ)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nārāyaṇaguṇāśrita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

Speaker

Suta (narrator) describing the sages’ actions and the devotional discourse

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Narayana

FAQs

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

It teaches that devotional wisdom is grounded in disciplined daily dharma: after completing nitya-karmas like Sandhyā, the sages turn their minds to Nārāyaṇa through sacred discussion, showing the harmony of conduct (ācāra) and contemplation (kathā).

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

Bhakti here is expressed as nārāyaṇa-guṇa-āśraya—taking refuge in and repeatedly reflecting upon the Lord’s qualities through varied forms of Bhagavata-kathā, after purifying one’s day with regular worship.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse highlights ritual discipline rather than a specific Vedāṅga: Sandhyā-upāsanā and proper ācāra (nitya-karma) are emphasized as practical foundations that support higher study and devotional discourse.