Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 67

Devanagari script

क्षत्रजं सेवते कर्म वेदाध्ययनसंगतः । दानादानरतिर्यस्तु स वै क्षत्रिय उच्यते ॥ ६७ ॥

Transliteration

kṣatrajaṃ sevate karma vedādhyayanasaṃgataḥ | dānādānaratiryastu sa vai kṣatriya ucyate || 67 ||

Translation

奉行由刹帝利之力（王权）所生的职责，恒与吠陀学习相应，并于治国中依正法而乐于施与与受纳者——此人称为刹帝利。

Word by Word

• क्षत्रजम्: kshatriya-born / pertaining to kshatra
• क्षत्रजम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षत्रज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; 'क्षत्रसम्बन्धि'

• सेवते: serves, attends to
• सेवते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सेव् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• कर्म: duty, work
• कर्म: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• वेदाध्ययनसंगतः: associated with Vedic study
• वेदाध्ययनसंगतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेद + अध्ययन + संगत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—वेदाध्ययने संगतः (सप्तमी-तत्पुरुष; engaged in Vedic study)

• दानादानरतिः: devotion to giving and receiving
• दानादानरतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान + आदान + रति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; द्वन्द्वः—दानं च आदानं च (giving and receiving) + रतिः (devotion)

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; सम्बन्धक सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• तु: but/indeed
• तु: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (contrast/emphasis)

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

• वै: indeed
• वै: Sambandha/Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निपात (emphasis)

• क्षत्रियः: a Kshatriya
• क्षत्रियः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्रिय (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• उच्यते: is called
• उच्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लट्, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; कर्मणि (passive)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

FAQs

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

It defines Kṣatriya identity by dharma (conduct): disciplined action, Vedic grounding, and ethical generosity—showing that social role supports inner purification and mokṣa-oriented life.

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

By insisting on Vedic study and righteous giving, it frames rulership as service aligned with dharma—an essential support for devotion, since bhakti flourishes where order, charity, and scriptural orientation are upheld.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Veda-adhyayana (scriptural study) is emphasized; in practice this depends on Vedāṅga supports like Śikṣā (proper recitation) and Vyākaraṇa (correct understanding of words).