Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 21

The Anukramaṇikā (Contents-Outline) of the Vāmana Purāṇa

Devanagari script

विप्राय वेदविदुषे घृतधेनुसमन्वितम् । स समुद्धृत्य नरकान्नयेत्स्वर्गं पितॄन्स्वकान् ॥ २१ ॥

Transliteration

viprāya vedaviduṣe ghṛtadhenusamanvitam | sa samuddhṛtya narakānnayetsvargaṃ pitṝnsvakān || 21 ||

Translation

凡将“酥油之牛”（备有酥油并配以如法供品之牛）布施给通晓吠陀的婆罗门者——此施主能从地狱中拔济自己的祖先，引领他们升入天界。

Word by Word

• विप्राय: to a brāhmaṇa
• विप्राय: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान/दत्तेः), एकवचन; Dative singular (to a brāhmaṇa)

• वेदविदुषे: to the knower of the Veda
• वेदविदुषे: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेदविद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Dative singular; समासः—वेदं विदन्/विदुष् इति (तत्पुरुष)

• घृतधेनु-समन्वितम्: endowed with a ghee-cow
• घृतधेनु-समन्वितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घृतधेनु + समन्वित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular agreeing with (दानम्/वस्तु) understood; समासः—घृतधेनुभिः समन्वितम् (तत्पुरुष)

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Pronoun, nominative singular

• समुद्धृत्य: having rescued
• समुद्धृत्य: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-उद्-हृ (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive); having lifted up/rescued

• नरकान्: from the hells
• नरकान्: Apadana (अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नरक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Accusative plural

• नयेत्: should lead
• नयेत्: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नी (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; Parasmaipada; ‘should lead’

• स्वर्गम्: to heaven
• स्वर्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वर्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; Accusative singular (goal)

• पितॄन्: the fathers/ancestors
• पितॄन्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पितृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Accusative plural

• स्वकान्: one’s own
• स्वकान्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; Accusative plural; विशेषणम् of पितॄन्

Speaker

Narada (teaching in the Anukramanika-style summary of dharmic rites and gifts)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Brāhmaṇa (vipra)
• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Svarga
• Naraka

FAQs

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

It teaches that properly directed dāna—especially to a Veda-knowing Brāhmaṇa—creates merit powerful enough to benefit not only the giver but also the giver’s lineage, rescuing the pitṛs from naraka and granting svarga.

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

While the verse focuses on dāna, it aligns with bhakti-dharma by emphasizing selfless, reverential giving to uphold Vedic order; such acts are treated as devotional service when performed with faith and purity.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse implies correct ritual procedure and eligibility: gifts are to be given to a qualified vedavid (Veda-knower), reflecting the dharmic application of Kalpa (ritual discipline) and proper dāna-vidhi.