Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5

The Anukramaṇikā (Contents-Outline) of the Vāmana Purāṇa

Devanagari script

सुकेश्यर्कसमाख्यानं ततो भुवनकोशकम् । ततः काम्यव्रताख्यानं श्रीदुर्गाचरितं ततः ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

sukeśyarkasamākhyānaṃ tato bhuvanakośakam | tataḥ kāmyavratākhyānaṃ śrīdurgācaritaṃ tataḥ || 5 ||

Translation

Kế đó là truyện Sukeśī và Arka; rồi đến phần mô tả Bhuvana-kośa—địa lý các cõi thế giới. Sau nữa là chuyện các kāmya-vrata (giới nguyện cầu phúc theo ý muốn), và tiếp theo là thánh tích của Nữ Thần Durgā.

Word by Word

• सुकेश्यर्कसमाख्यानम्: the narrative of Sukeśī and Arka
• सुकेश्यर्कसमाख्यानम्: Karma (कर्म/Object/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सुकेशी + अर्क + समाख्यान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: सुकेश्याः अर्कस्य च समाख्यानम् (account concerning Sukeśī and Arka)

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb): ‘then/thereafter’

• भुवनकोशकम्: the cosmographical compendium (of worlds)
• भुवनकोशकम्: Karma (कर्म/Object/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भुवन + कोशक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: भुवनानां कोशकः/कोशकम् (compendium/‘sheath’ of worlds; cosmography section)

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb): ‘then/thereafter’

• काम्यव्रताख्यानम्: the account of the kāmya-vrata
• काम्यव्रताख्यानम्: Karma (कर्म/Object/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम्य + व्रत + आख्यान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: काम्यस्य व्रतस्य आख्यानम् (narrative of the desired/optional vow)

• श्रीदुर्गाचरितम्: the deeds of Śrī Durgā
• श्रीदुर्गाचरितम्: Karma (कर्म/Object/Topic)
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री + दुर्गा + चरित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: श्रीदुर्गायाः चरितम् (deeds of revered Durgā)

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb): ‘then/thereafter’

Speaker

Narada (topic-sequence narration within the Anukramanika context, traditionally in dialogue frame with Sanatkumara)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: Kāmya-vrata (general category; specific vrata names not given here)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Sukeshi
• Arka
• Durga

FAQs

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

It functions as an anukramaṇikā (table-of-contents style) marker, showing that the Purāṇa integrates narrative exempla, cosmology (bhuvana-kośa), ritual observances (vratas), and Devī-oriented sacred history—guiding readers through a structured spiritual curriculum.

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

By sequencing sacred narratives and the Śrī Durgā-carita after vows and cosmology, it indicates that devotion is nourished through hearing (śravaṇa) of divine deeds and disciplined observances (vrata), not merely through abstract knowledge.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse points to practical dharma through kāmya-vratas—ritual disciplines undertaken for specific aims—rather than a specific Vedāṅga; it signals applied religious practice (vrata-vidhi) within Purāṇic instruction.