Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3

The Anukramaṇikā (Contents-Outline) of the Vāmana Purāṇa

Devanagari script

पुराणप्रश्नः प्रथमं ब्रह्मशीर्षच्छिदा ततः । कपालमोचनाख्यानं दक्षयज्ञविहिंसनम् ॥ ३ ॥

Transliteration

purāṇapraśnaḥ prathamaṃ brahmaśīrṣacchidā tataḥ | kapālamocanākhyānaṃ dakṣayajñavihiṃsanam || 3 ||

Translation

首先是关于往世书的提问；继而是斩落梵天之首；随后是解除“骷髅之罪”的故事；以及扰乱达克沙祭祀的记述。

Word by Word

• पुराणप्रश्नः: the Purāṇa-question (topic)
• पुराणप्रश्नः: Karta (कर्ता/Topic as subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुराण + प्रश्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: पुराणस्य प्रश्नः (question about the Purāṇa)

• प्रथमम्: first
• प्रथमम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: प्रथम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb): ‘first/firstly’

• ब्रह्मशीर्षच्छिदा: by (the episode of) cutting Brahmā’s head
• ब्रह्मशीर्षच्छिदा: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् + शीर्षन् + छिद् (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ब्रह्मणः शीर्षस्य छिदा (by the cutter of Brahmā’s head / by the act/agent of cutting Brahmā’s head)

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

• कपालमोचनाख्यानम्: the tale of skull-release (Kapālamocana)
• कपालमोचनाख्यानम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपाल + मोचन + आख्यान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: कपालस्य मोचनस्य आख्यानम् (narrative of the release/removal of the skull)

• दक्षयज्ञविहिंसनम्: the destruction of Dakṣa’s sacrifice
• दक्षयज्ञविहिंसनम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दक्ष + यज्ञ + विहिंसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: दक्षस्य यज्ञस्य विहिंसनम् (the harming/destruction of Dakṣa’s sacrifice)

Speaker

Suta (summarizing the Narada Purana’s contents in the Anukramaṇikā section)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Daksha
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It functions as an Anukramaṇikā (table of contents), signaling that the text will cover Purāṇic inquiry, grave transgression and its expiation (Kapālamocana), and the dharmic consequences of offending the sacred (Dakṣa’s yajña).

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

Indirectly: by listing episodes centered on divine authority and the restoration of order, it frames devotion as alignment with dharma—honoring the divine and seeking purification when one errs.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual knowledge is implied through the reference to Dakṣa’s yajña—showing that yajña must be performed with proper reverence and correct intention, otherwise it becomes spiritually counterproductive.