Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 87

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

Devanagari script

मन्त्रोपदेशव्याख्याख्याकृद्वेदसदंहहृत्तथा । व्रतोपदेशकश्चैव भयत्रातान्नदो हि च ॥ ८७ ॥

Transliteration

mantropadeśavyākhyākhyākṛdvedasadaṃhahṛttathā | vratopadeśakaścaiva bhayatrātānnado hi ca || 87 ||

Translation

وہ منتر کا اُپدیش اور اس کی شرح کرنے والا ہے؛ وید کے پابندوں کے گناہوں کو بھی دور کرنے والا؛ ورتوں کا سکھانے والا، خوف سے بچانے والا، اور یقیناً اَنّ (غذا) دینے والا ہے۔

Word by Word

• मन्त्र-उपदेश-व्याख्या-आख्य-कृत्: one who explains and narrates mantra-instructions
• मन्त्र-उपदेश-व्याख्या-आख्य-कृत्: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + उपदेश (प्रातिपदिक) + व्याख्या (प्रातिपदिक) + आख्य (प्रातिपदिक) + कृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः: ‘मन्त्रस्य उपदेशस्य व्याख्यायाः आख्यायाः कर्ता’ (one who explains/expounds mantra-instructions)

• वेद-सदंह-हृत्: remover of faults/sins regarding the Veda
• वेद-सदंह-हृत्: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + सदंह (प्रातिपदिक) + हृत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुषः: ‘वेदस्य सदंहं (दोषम्/पापम्) हरति इति’

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Avyaya (अव्यय/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb); ‘also/likewise’

• व्रत-उपदेशकः: instructor of vows
• व्रत-उपदेशकः: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक) + उपदेशक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुषः: ‘व्रतस्य उपदेशकः’

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

• एव: indeed/just
• एव: Avyaya (अव्यय/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-निपात (emphatic particle)

• भय-त्राता: protector from fear
• भय-त्राता: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भय (प्रातिपदिक) + त्रातृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुषः: ‘भयात् त्राता’ (protector from fear)

• अन्न-दः: giver of food
• अन्न-दः: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate noun)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अन्न (प्रातिपदिक) + द (प्रातिपदिक; from √दा ‘to give’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); तत्पुरुषः: ‘अन्नं ददाति इति’

• हि: indeed
• हि: Avyaya (अव्यय/Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अव्यय; emphasis/indeed

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

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It lists divine functions central to dharma: imparting mantras with proper explanation, removing sin, teaching vratas, granting protection from fear, and sustaining life through food—showing that spiritual progress is supported both inwardly (purification/knowledge) and outwardly (protection/sustenance).

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

By portraying the Lord as the compassionate guide who gives mantra-upadeśa and vrata-upadeśa and removes sin and fear, the verse frames devotion as a lived discipline: receiving sacred instruction, observing vows, and relying on divine refuge.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes correct mantra-upadeśa together with vyākhyā (authoritative explanation), pointing to the practical need for proper instruction and interpretive tradition in Vedic practice, alongside vrata-vidhi (rules of observances).