Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 51

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

Devanagari script

विचरन्नर्मदातीरे सर्वलोकभयंकरः । अपश्यत्कंचन मुनिं रमन्तं प्रियया सह ॥ ५२ ॥

Transliteration

vicarannarmadātīre sarvalokabhayaṃkaraḥ | apaśyatkaṃcana muniṃ ramantaṃ priyayā saha || 52 ||

Translation

نَرمدا کے کنارے بھٹکتے ہوئے، جو تمام جہانوں کے لیے دہشت کا باعث تھا، اس نے ایک مُنی کو اپنی محبوبہ کے ساتھ مسرّت میں مگن دیکھا۔

Word by Word

• विचरन्: wandering
• विचरन्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-चर् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (Present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — ‘wandering’

• नर्मदा-तीरे: on the bank of the Narmadā
• नर्मदा-तीरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर्मदा (प्रातिपदिक) + तीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Locative singular; ‘नर्मदायाः तीरे’

• सर्व-लोक-भयम्-करः: terror to all worlds/people
• सर्व-लोक-भयम्-करः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + लोक (प्रातिपदिक) + भय (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Nominative singular; तत्पुरुषः ‘सर्वेषां लोकानां भयम् करोति’ विशेषण (विचरन्/सः)

• अपश्यत्: saw
• अपश्यत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार; प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन — 3rd person singular (saw)

• कंचन: a certain
• कंचन: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कंचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Accusative singular; अनिश्चितवाचक-विशेषण (some/one) विशेषण (मुनिम्)

• मुनिम्: sage
• मुनिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुनि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Accusative singular

• रमन्तम्: enjoying; sporting
• रमन्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: रम् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन — Accusative singular; विशेषण (मुनिम्) ‘delighting/playing’

• प्रियया: with (his) beloved
• प्रियया: Sahakaraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रिया (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन — Instrumental singular (with his beloved)

• सह: together with
• सह: Sahakaraka (सहकारक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; सहार्थक-उपपद — indeclinable used with तृतीया (with)

Speaker

Narada (narrative voice within the Narada Purana dialogue tradition)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka

Characters & Entities

• Narmada
• Muni

FAQs

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

It introduces a tirtha-setting (the Narmadā bank) where transformative instruction often unfolds in the Purāṇas—an encounter with a muni becomes the doorway to dharma-teaching through lived example and contrast.

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

Bhakti is implied indirectly: sacred geography (Narmadā-tīra) and saintly association are classic supports for devotion, preparing the mind for higher instruction even before explicit Vishnu-bhakti is stated.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this single verse; the practical takeaway is the Purāṇic method of dharma-instruction via narrative encounter in a tirtha context.