Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 15

Threefold Suffering, Twofold Knowledge, and the Definition of Bhagavān (Vāsudeva); Prelude to Keśidhvaja–Janaka Yoga

Devanagari script

अशब्दगोचरस्यापि तस्य वै ब्रह्मणो द्विजा । पूजायां भगवच्छब्दः क्रियते ह्यौपचारिकः ॥ १५ ॥

Transliteration

aśabdagocarasyāpi tasya vai brahmaṇo dvijā | pūjāyāṃ bhagavacchabdaḥ kriyate hyaupacārikaḥ || 15 ||

Translation

噢诸位再生者，即便那梵（Brahman）超越言语所及，在礼拜供奉之时，“薄伽梵”之称亦只是依俗约定、权宜而用。

Word by Word

• a-śabda-gocarasya: of (him) who is beyond the range of words
• a-śabda-gocarasya: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a (नञ्) + śabda (प्रातिपदिक) + gocara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन); a- = negation (नञ्)

• api: even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) meaning “even/also”

• tasya: of him
• tasya: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pum/Napumsaka (पुं/नपुंसक), Genitive (षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निपात)

• brahmaṇaḥ: of Brahman
• brahmaṇaḥ: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: brahman (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Genitive (षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• dvijāḥ: O twice-born (brahmins)
• dvijāḥ: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (सम्बोधन), Plural (बहुवचन)

• pūjāyām: in worship
• pūjāyām: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūjā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Locative (सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhagavat-śabdaḥ: the word ‘bhagavat’
• bhagavat-śabdaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक) + śabda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• kriyate: is employed/is used
• kriyate: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (कृ)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), Passive voice (कर्मणि), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• hi: indeed/for
• hi: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) giving reason/emphasis

• aupacārikaḥ: figurative/conventional (secondary)
• aupacārikaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aupacārika (प्रातिपदिक; from upacāra)
• Form: Pumliṅga (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada; addressing dvijas in general instruction)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

Characters & Entities

• Brahman
• Bhagavan

FAQs

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

It teaches that the Absolute (Brahman) is ultimately inexpressible, yet devotion and ritual legitimately employ sacred names like “Bhagavān” as conventional pointers that aid worship and contemplation.

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

Bhakti uses name and form in pūjā as skillful means: even if Brahman transcends speech, the devotee approaches through revered epithets (Bhagavān) that focus the mind and heart on the Supreme.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It reflects Vyākaraṇa/Nirukta-style awareness of primary vs. secondary meaning (aupacārika usage): ritual language can be conventional and still spiritually valid when directed toward the Supreme.