Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 69

Sṛṣṭi-pralaya-kathana: Mahābhūta-guṇāḥ, Vṛkṣa-indriya-vādaḥ, Prāṇa-vāyu-vyavasthā

Devanagari script

वाय्वग्न्यशनिनिर्घोषैः फलं पुष्पं विशीर्यते । श्रोत्रेण गृह्यते शब्दस्तस्माच्छृण्वंति पादपाः ॥ ६९ ॥

Transliteration

vāyvagnyaśaninirghoṣaiḥ phalaṃ puṣpaṃ viśīryate | śrotreṇa gṛhyate śabdastasmācchṛṇvaṃti pādapāḥ || 69 ||

Translation

因风、火与雷霆的轰鸣，果与花纷纷坠落。声由耳所摄；故树木亦可谓“能闻”。

Word by Word

• vāyu-agni-aśani-nirghoṣaiḥ: by wind, fire, thunder, and loud noise
• vāyu-agni-aśani-nirghoṣaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāyu (प्रातिपदिक) + agni (प्रातिपदिक) + aśani (प्रातिपदिक) + nirghoṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural (बहुवचन); इतरेतर-द्वन्द्व समास

• phalam: fruit
• phalam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: phala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• puṣpam: flower
• puṣpam: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: puṣpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• viśīryate: is shattered/falls off
• viśīryate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śṝ (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), Ātmanepada, 3rd person, Singular; with prefix vi-

• śrotreṇa: by the ear
• śrotreṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrotra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular

• gṛhyate: is perceived/grasped
• gṛhyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: grah (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), Passive (कर्मणि प्रयोग), Ātmanepada, 3rd person, Singular

• śabdaḥ: sound
• śabdaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śabda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• tasmāt: therefore/from that
• tasmāt: Hetu/Apādāna (हेतु/अपादान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ablative (5th/पञ्चमी), Singular; pronoun

• śṛṇvanti: hear
• śṛṇvanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: śru (धातु)
• Form: Present (लट्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Plural (बहुवचन)

• pādapāḥ: trees
• pādapāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pādapa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It points to śabda (sound) as a subtle principle apprehended through the ear and suggests that awareness is not limited to humans—nature, including trees, responds to sound, indicating pervasive life and consciousness within prakṛti.

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

By highlighting the power of sound, it implicitly supports bhakti practices centered on sacred sound—nāma-saṅkīrtana and mantra—showing that sound profoundly affects living beings and the environment.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It aligns with Śikṣā (phonetics) and the doctrine of śabda as a potent medium; careful pronunciation and regulated use of sound in mantra/recitation are implied as practically meaningful.