Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3

Gṛhastha-praveśa: Vivāha-bheda, Ācāra-śauca, Śrāddha-kāla, and Vaiṣṇava-lakṣaṇa

Devanagari script

रुपलावण्यसंपन्नां सगुणां सुकुलोद्भवाम् । द्विजः समुद्वहेत्कन्यां सुशीलां धर्म चारिणीम् ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

rupalāvaṇyasaṃpannāṃ saguṇāṃ sukulodbhavām | dvijaḥ samudvahetkanyāṃ suśīlāṃ dharma cāriṇīm || 3 ||

Translation

Người “hai lần sinh” nên cưới một thiếu nữ có dung nhan và vẻ duyên dáng, đủ đức hạnh, xuất thân từ gia tộc đáng kính, nết na hiền thục và hành trì dharma.

Word by Word

• rūpa-lāvaṇya-sampannām: endowed with beauty and charm
• rūpa-lāvaṇya-sampannām: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rūpa (प्रातिपदिक) + lāvaṇya (प्रातिपदिक) + sampanna (कृदन्त; √pad/पद् + क्त) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying kanyām; ‘endowed with beauty and grace’

• sa-guṇām: virtuous
• sa-guṇām: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sa (प्रातिपदिक/उपसर्गार्थ ‘with’) + guṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; bahuvrīhi ‘one who has virtues’ qualifying kanyām

• su-kula-udbhavām: born of a good family
• su-kula-udbhavām: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su (अव्यय/उपसर्गार्थ) + kula (प्रातिपदिक) + udbhava (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying kanyām; ‘born in a good family’

• dvijaḥ: the twice-born man
• dvijaḥ: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• samudvahet: should marry/take in marriage
• samudvahet: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ud-√vah (वह्) (धातु)
• Form: Optative (विधिलिङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular; parasmaipada

• kanyām: a maiden
• kanyām: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kanyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• suśīlām: good-natured
• suśīlām: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: suśīla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying kanyām

• dharma-cāriṇīm: practicing righteousness
• dharma-cāriṇīm: Karma-viśeṣaṇa (कर्मविशेषण/Object-qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + cāriṇī (प्रातिपदिक; from √car/चर्)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; qualifying kanyām; ‘one who practices dharma’

Speaker

Narada (teaching dharma in a normative instructional passage)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: shringara

FAQs

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

It frames marriage as a dharmic institution: the ideal spouse is defined not only by appearance but by character and commitment to dharma, supporting a righteous household life.

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

While not explicitly naming bhakti, it supports bhakti indirectly by emphasizing a dharma-aligned household; a spouse devoted to righteous conduct helps sustain sattvic living, vows, worship, and disciplined devotion.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects applied dharma-niti rather than a specific Vedanga; practically, it aligns with Grihya-style social norms used in household rites (saṃskāras), where character and dharmic fitness are key considerations.