Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

The Exposition of Spiritual Knowledge

Jñāna-pradarśanam

Devanagari script

निधिकोटिसहस्राणां कोटिकोटिगुणान्वितम् । विगणय्य स्वयं हृष्टो विस्मितश्चार्थचिन्तया ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

nidhikoṭisahasrāṇāṃ koṭikoṭiguṇānvitam | vigaṇayya svayaṃ hṛṣṭo vismitaścārthacintayā || 17 ||

Translation

ہزاروں کروڑ خزانوں سے بھی بڑھ کر، کروڑوں پر کروڑوں گنا بڑھا ہوا وہ مال گن کر وہ خود خوش ہوا؛ اور اس کی معنویت پر غور کرتے ہوئے حیران بھی رہ گیا۔

Word by Word

• निधिकोटिसहस्राणाम्: of thousands of crores of treasures
• निधिकोटिसहस्राणाम्: सम्बन्ध (Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निधि + कोटि + सहस्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास (बहुपद): निधीनां कोटि-सहस्राणाम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष/समाहार); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• कोटिकोटिगुणान्वितम्: endowed with crores upon crores of times (increase)
• कोटिकोटिगुणान्वितम्: विशेषण (Adjectival)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कोटि + कोटि + गुण + अन्वित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: कोटि-कोटि-गुणैः अन्वितम् (तृतीया-तत्पुरुष); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (धनम्/निधिमानम् इत्यादि विशेषणम्)

• विगणय्य: having counted
• विगणय्य: पूर्वकालक्रिया (Prior action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि + गण् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (Gerund/Absolutive) ‘विगणय्य’; पूर्वक्रिया (having counted/assessed)

• स्वयम्: himself
• स्वयम्: कर्ता-विशेषण (Emphatic to subject)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; आत्मवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (reflexive adverb: oneself)

• हृष्टः: delighted
• हृष्टः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हृष्ट (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (कर्ता-विशेषण)

• विस्मितः: astonished
• विस्मितः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Predicate adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विस्मित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; (कर्ता-विशेषण)

• च: and
• च: समुच्चय (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• अर्थचिन्तया: by/with concern about wealth
• अर्थचिन्तया: करण/हेतु (Instrument/Cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्थ + चिन्ता (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समास: अर्थस्य चिन्ता (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

Speaker

Narada (in dialogue context with the Sanatkumara brothers; verse reflects Narada’s reaction to the teaching’s value/purport)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It emphasizes that the spiritual fruit (puṇya/guṇa) of the teaching or practice being discussed is immeasurably greater than material wealth, and that true understanding arises when one reflects on its purport (artha-cintā).

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

By contrasting “treasures” with exponentially multiplied spiritual merit, the verse aligns with Bhakti teaching: devotion and its inner meaning are valued above worldly accumulation, producing joy (hṛṣa) and wonder (vismaya) in the devotee.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights artha-vicāra (reflection on meaning) as a practical discipline—akin to careful textual interpretation—rather than a ritual technique; the verse points to understanding the purport as essential for realizing the promised fruit.