Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 37

Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative

Devanagari script

रविर्हि रशिमजालेन दिवा हन्तिबहिस्तमः । सन्तः सूक्तिमरीच्योश्चान्तर्ध्वान्तं हि सर्वदा ॥ ३७ ॥

Transliteration

ravirhi raśimajālena divā hantibahistamaḥ | santaḥ sūktimarīcyoścāntardhvāntaṃ hi sarvadā || 37 ||

Translation

جیسے سورج اپنے شعاعوں کے جال سے دن میں بیرونی تاریکی مٹا دیتا ہے، ویسے ہی سنت خوش گفتار کلمات کی کرنوں سے ہمیشہ اندر کی تاریکی (جہالت) دور کرتے ہیں۔

Word by Word

• raviḥ: the sun
• raviḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ravi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular

• hi: indeed
• hi: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle

• raśmijālena: by the network of rays
• raśmijālena: Karana (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: raśmijāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (तृतीया), Singular

• divā: by day
• divā: Adhikarana (Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: divā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• hanti: destroys/kills
• hanti: Kriya (Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: han (धातु)
• Form: Lat Lakara (Present), Parasmaipada, Prathama Purusha, Singular

• bahiḥ: outside/external
• bahiḥ: Adhikarana (Place)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: bahiḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• tamaḥ: darkness
• tamaḥ: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tamas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (द्वितीया), Singular

• santaḥ: saints
• santaḥ: Karta (Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (प्रथमा), Plural

• sūktimarīcibhiḥ: by the rays of good speech
• sūktimarīcibhiḥ: Karana (Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sūktimarīci (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine/Masculine, Instrumental (तृतीया), Plural (Corrected from input typo)

• ca: and
• ca: null
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction

• antaḥ: inner/internal
• antaḥ: Visheshana (Adjective)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: antar (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb/Adjective

• dhvāntam: darkness
• dhvāntam: Karma (Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dhvānta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (द्वितीया), Singular

• sarvadā: always
• sarvadā: Adhikarana (Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sarvadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada on the transformative power of sādhus and sūkta-vāk)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Ravi (Sun)

FAQs

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

It teaches that ignorance is an inner darkness, and the speech of the saintly—rooted in truth and wisdom—acts like sunlight, steadily illuminating the mind and removing delusion.

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

Bhakti grows through satsanga: when one hears and reflects on uplifting, dharmic words from the virtuous, the heart becomes purified, making devotion to the Lord natural and steady.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights the disciplined use of speech—aligned with śāstra and right expression—an applied aspect connected with Vyākaraṇa (clarity of language) and Śikṣā (proper articulation), showing that refined speech can become a tool for inner transformation.