Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 40

The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release

Devanagari script

अविवेको हि सर्वेषामापदां परमं पदम् । विवेकरहितो लोके पशुरेव न संशयः ॥ ४० ॥

Transliteration

aviveko hi sarveṣāmāpadāṃ paramaṃ padam | vivekarahito loke paśureva na saṃśayaḥ || 40 ||

Translation

بے شک اَوِویک (عدمِ تمیز) ہی تمام آفتوں کی انتہا درجے کی جڑ ہے۔ جو اس دنیا میں تمیز سے خالی ہو، وہ بلا شبہ جانور کے برابر ہے۔

Word by Word

• अविवेकः: lack of discernment
• अविवेकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अविवेक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (emphasis/causal)

• सर्वेषाम्: of all
• सर्वेषाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक-समासंगत, षष्ठी (genitive), बहुवचन (plural)

• आपदाम्: of calamities
• आपदाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आपद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (genitive), बहुवचन

• परमम्: supreme
• परमम्: Karta (कर्ता; predicate nominative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण of पदम्

• पदम्: cause/abode/ground
• पदम्: Karta (कर्ता; predicate)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• विवेक-रहितः: devoid of discernment
• विवेक-रहितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विवेक (प्रातिपदिक) + रहित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष (determinative: 'devoid of discernment'), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• लोके: in the world
• लोके: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (locative), एकवचन

• पशुः: an animal
• पशुः: Karta (कर्ता; predicate)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पशु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• एव: only/indeed
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारणार्थक अव्यय (restrictive particle)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/negation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय (negation)

• संशयः: doubt
• संशयः: Karta (कर्ता; predicate)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संशय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumāra (teaching Nārada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It establishes viveka (clear discernment) as the root safeguard of dharma: when discrimination is absent, a person becomes vulnerable to every kind of downfall—ethical, spiritual, and worldly.

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

Bhakti matures through right understanding—discerning the eternal (Viṣṇu and dharma) from the temporary (sense-impulses and ego). Without viveka, devotion can be replaced by habit, display, or desire-driven action.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse highlights a foundational principle behind all śāstra-application: discernment in choosing correct conduct. While not naming a Vedāṅga directly, it supports the practical use of śāstric reasoning (nyāya) and disciplined interpretation (as in vyākaraṇa/mīmāṃsā-based clarity) to avoid wrong action.