Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

The Description of the Index (Anukramaṇikā) of the Padma Purāṇa

Devanagari script

नर्मदोत्पत्तिकथनं तत्तीर्थानां कथाः पृथक् । कुरुक्षेत्रादितीर्थानां कथा पुण्या प्रकीर्तिता ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

narmadotpattikathanaṃ tattīrthānāṃ kathāḥ pṛthak | kurukṣetrāditīrthānāṃ kathā puṇyā prakīrtitā || 15 ||

Translation

经中宣说那尔玛达河（Narmadā）的起源，并分别叙述其诸圣渡口（tīrtha）的传记；又宣扬如俱卢之野（Kurukṣetra）等朝圣圣地的清净功德故事。

Word by Word

• नर्मदा-उत्पत्ति-कथनम्: the narration of the origin of the Narmadā
• नर्मदा-उत्पत्ति-कथनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर्मदा (प्रातिपदिक) + उत्पत्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + कथन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (नर्मदायाः उत्पत्तेः कथनम्)

• तत्-तीर्थानाम्: of those sacred places
• तत्-तीर्थानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तत् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; समासः कर्मधारयः (तानि तीर्थानि)

• कथाः: accounts/stories
• कथाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कथा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), बहुवचन

• पृथक्: separately
• पृथक्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पृथक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/रीति-अव्यय (adverb: separately)

• कुरुक्षेत्र-आदि-तीर्थानाम्: of the tīrthas beginning with Kurukṣetra
• कुरुक्षेत्र-आदि-तीर्थानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुरुक्षेत्र (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + तीर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6), बहुवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (कुरुक्षेत्रादीनां तीर्थानाम्)

• कथा: the account
• कथा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कथा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन

• पुण्या: holy/meritorious
• पुण्या: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुण्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (कथायाः)

• प्रकीर्तिता: has been proclaimed/described
• प्रकीर्तिता: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + कीर्त् (धातु) → प्रकीर्तित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कृदन्तः (क्त-प्रत्यय, past passive participle); स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; कर्मणि-प्रयोगार्थः (is proclaimed)

Speaker

Narada (as part of the Anukramanika-style summary, traditionally addressed within the Narada–Sanatkumara dialogue framework)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Narmada
• Kurukshetra

FAQs

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

It highlights tīrtha-kathā as a sanctifying means: hearing the origins and glories of rivers and holy places (like Narmadā and Kurukṣetra) generates puṇya and supports dharma-oriented living.

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

By valuing sacred narratives (kathā) connected to holy geography, it supports devotional remembrance and reverence—bhakti is nourished through śravaṇa (hearing) of tīrtha-mahātmyas that inspire faith and pilgrimage as an offering.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is the Purāṇic method of organizing dharma through categorized tīrtha narratives (pṛthak kathāḥ) for study and practice.