Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 16

The Exposition of the Table of Contents (Anukramaṇī) of the Agni Purāṇa

Devanagari script

स्वप्नाध्यायस्ततः प्रोक्तः शकुनादिनिरूपणम् । मंडलादिकनिर्द्देंशो रत्नदीक्षाविधिस्ततः ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

svapnādhyāyastataḥ proktaḥ śakunādinirūpaṇam | maṃḍalādikanirddeṃśo ratnadīkṣāvidhistataḥ || 16 ||

Translation

随后宣说“梦之章”，继而阐明诸般征兆与祥凶之象；再后叙述曼荼罗（maṇḍala）等相关事宜；其后则讲述与宝石（ratna）相应的灌顶入门之法（dīkṣā）。

Word by Word

• स्वप्न-अध्यायः: chapter on dreams
• स्वप्न-अध्यायः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वप्न (प्रातिपदिक) + अध्याय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine), प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (Genitive determinative): स्वप्नानां अध्यायः

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Sequencing)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (Indeclinable), क्रियाविशेषण (Adverb): 'thereafter/then'

• प्रोक्तः: is declared
• प्रोक्तः: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicative)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-वच् (धातु) > प्रोक्त (कृदन्त, क्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि/भूतकृत् (Past passive participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; 'has been spoken/declared'

• शकुन-आदि-निरूपणम्: exposition of omens etc.
• शकुन-आदि-निरूपणम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शकुन (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + निरूपण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter), प्रथमा/द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Nom./Acc.), एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: शकुनादीनां निरूपणम्

• मण्डल-आदि-क-निर्देशः: instruction regarding circles etc.
• मण्डल-आदि-क-निर्देशः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मण्डल (प्रातिपदिक) + आदि (प्रातिपदिक) + क (तद्धित) + निर्देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: मण्डलादिकानां निर्देशः

• रत्न-दीक्षा-विधिः: procedure for gem-initiation
• रत्न-दीक्षा-विधिः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्न (प्रातिपदिक) + दीक्षा (प्रातिपदिक) + विधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः: रत्नदीक्षायाः विधिः

• ततः: thereafter
• ततः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Sequencing)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण (Adverb): 'thereafter'

Speaker

Narada (topic-summary narration within the Purva Bhaga)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

FAQs

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

It functions as an anukramaṇikā (topic index), indicating that the Purana transmits structured knowledge—dream-signs, omens, ritual diagrams, and initiation procedures—so that Dharma-oriented practice is guided by clear śāstric method rather than guesswork.

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

Indirectly: by listing ritual and interpretive tools (maṇḍalas, dīkṣā-vidhi), it supports disciplined worship and consecrated practice, which in the Narada Purana are typically framed as aids to steady devotion and right conduct.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Śakuna and svapna-nirūpaṇa align with applied jyotiṣa-style omenology, while maṇḍala-nirddeśa and dīkṣā-vidhi point to ritual procedure (kalpa/ācāra), presenting practical guidance for interpreting signs and conducting sanctioned rites.