Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 20

Śreyas and Paramārtha: The Ribhu–Nidāgha Teaching on Non-Dual Self

Advaita

Devanagari script

परमार्थो हि कार्याणि करणानामशेषतः । राज्यादिप्राप्तिरत्रोक्ता परमार्थतया यदि ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

paramārtho hi kāryāṇi karaṇānāmaśeṣataḥ | rājyādiprāptiratroktā paramārthatayā yadi || 20 ||

Translation

诚然，最高义（paramārtha）是不遗余力地统摄一切行为及其诸器的真实归宿。即便得王位等事，在此也被称为“最高义”——若以那究竟之义来领会。

Word by Word

• paramārthaḥ: ultimate purpose
• paramārthaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paramārtha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• hi: indeed
• hi: Discourse particle (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—निपात (indeed/for)

• kāryāṇi: tasks/acts to be done
• kāryāṇi: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kārya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (Accusative), बहुवचन

• karaṇānām: of the instruments/means
• karaṇānām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: karaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive), बहुवचन

• aśeṣataḥ: completely
• aśeṣataḥ: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: aśeṣatas (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—क्रियाविशेषण (adverb: entirely/without remainder)

• rājya-ādi-prāptiḥ: attainment of kingdom etc.
• rājya-ādi-prāptiḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājya (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक) + prāpti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः: ‘राज्यादीनां प्राप्तिः’ (attainment of kingdom etc.)

• atra: here
• atra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atra (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—देशवाचक (here)

• uktā: is stated
• uktā: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त—क्त (past passive participle) ‘उक्त’ स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि भावः: ‘is said/declared’

• paramārtha-tayā: as (being) the ultimate purpose
• paramārtha-tayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: paramārtha (प्रातिपदिक) + -tā (तद्धित प्रत्यय)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन; भाववाचक तद्धित (abstract noun): ‘as/with the status of ultimate purpose’

• yadi: if
• yadi: Condition marker (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: yadi (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—शर्तबोधक (if)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: vira

FAQs

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

It asserts that the true end of all action and all means (the faculties and agencies that act) is paramārtha—ultimate spiritual good—so worldly attainments only gain value when oriented toward liberation.

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

By subordinating worldly success to paramārtha, it supports the bhakti principle that achievements (status, power, wealth) become meaningful when offered to the Supreme as service and used for dharma, rather than pursued as final ends.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is interpretive—rituals and duties (Kalpa-oriented actions) should be evaluated by whether they culminate in paramārtha (moksha).