Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 47

Jīva–Ātman Inquiry; Kṣetrajña Doctrine; Karma-based Varṇa; Four Āśramas and Sannyāsa Discipline

Devanagari script

तं पूर्वापररात्रेषु युंजानः सततं बुधः । लब्धाहारो विशुद्धात्मा पश्यत्यात्मानमात्मनि ॥ ४७ ॥

Transliteration

taṃ pūrvāpararātreṣu yuṃjānaḥ satataṃ budhaḥ | labdhāhāro viśuddhātmā paśyatyātmānamātmani || 47 ||

Translation

Bậc trí, luôn chuyên chú vào pháp ấy trong phần đầu và phần cuối của đêm; chỉ thọ thực vừa đủ theo những gì có được, không tham cầu; tâm thanh tịnh, liền thấy Atman trong chính Atman.

Word by Word

• tam: him/that (Self)
• tam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन

• pūrva-apara-rātreṣu: in the earlier and later nights
• pūrva-apara-rātreṣu: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदिक) + apara (प्रातिपदिक) + rātri (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), बहुवचन; द्वन्द्व-समासः (pūrvāḥ ca aparāḥ ca rātrayaḥ)

• yuñjānaḥ: practising/engaging (in yoga/meditation)
• yuñjānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/agent)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yuj (युज् धातु)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शतृ/Present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; परस्मैपदी

• satatam: constantly
• satatam: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: satata (प्रातिपदिक/अव्ययीभाव)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (adverb)

• budhaḥ: the wise person
• budhaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: budha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• labdha-āhāraḥ: having obtained (proper) food
• labdha-āhāraḥ: Karta (कर्ता/subject-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: labdha (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + āhāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (‘labdhaḥ āhāraḥ yasya’/‘labdha-āhāraḥ’ = having obtained food); labdha = क्त from √labh (लभ्)

• viśuddha-ātmā: one of purified self
• viśuddha-ātmā: Karta (कर्ता/subject-qualifier)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viśuddha (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; बहुव्रीहिः (‘viśuddhaḥ ātmā yasya’ = one whose self is purified)

• paśyati: sees
• paśyati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √paś (पश् धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• ātmānam: the Self
• ātmānam: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), एकवचन; आत्मन्-शब्दः (reflexive sense)

• ātmani: in the Self
• ātmani: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ātman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (Locative), एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It teaches that liberation-oriented realization arises from steady meditation, purity of mind, and disciplined living—culminating in direct perception of the Self within oneself.

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

While framed in yogic language, it supports Bhakti by emphasizing inner purification and sustained remembrance; such steadiness makes the heart fit for unwavering devotion and God-centered contemplation.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Not a Vedanga lesson directly; the practical takeaway is sādhana-vidhi—timing discipline (night vigils) and regulated diet (labdhāhāra) as supportive observances for meditation.