Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 36

The Origin of the Gaṅgā and the Gods’ Defeat Caused by Bali

Devanagari script

पादेनैकेन सुचिरं ततः पादाग्रमात्रतः । कंचित्कालं फलाहारा ततः शीर्णदलाशना ॥ ३६ ॥

Transliteration

pādenaikena suciraṃ tataḥ pādāgramātrataḥ | kaṃcitkālaṃ phalāhārā tataḥ śīrṇadalāśanā || 36 ||

Translation

她久立于一足之上；继而仅以足尖支撑。又一段时间以果实为食，随后只食枯萎飘落的叶子。

Word by Word

• पादेन: with (one) foot
• पादेन: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd/instrumental), एकवचनम्

• एकेन: with one
• एकेन: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd), एकवचनम् (पादेन विशेषणम्)

• सुचिरम्: for a long time
• सुचिरम्: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सुचिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत्; कालपरिमाणवाचक (for a long time)

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनन्तरम् (thereafter)

• पाद-अग्र-मात्रतः: only on the tip of the foot
• पाद-अग्र-मात्रतः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक) + अग्र (प्रातिपदिक) + मात्र (प्रातिपदिक) + तः (अव्यय-प्रत्यय)
• Form: समासः: तत्पुरुष (पादस्य अग्रं; तस्य मात्रम्); तः-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb)

• कंचित्: some
• कंचित्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कंचित् (= कं चित्) (सर्वनाम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचनम्; अनिश्चितपरिमाण (some)

• कालम्: time
• कालम्: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचनम् (कालपरिमाणे)

• फल-आहाराः: having fruits as food
• फल-आहाराः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक) + आहार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: तत्पुरुष (फलम् आहारः यस्याः); स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st), एकवचनम्

• ततः: then
• ततः: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अनन्तरम् (thereafter)

• शीर्ण-दल-आशनाः: eating withered leaves
• शीर्ण-दल-आशनाः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शीर्ण (प्रातिपदिक/कृदन्त) + दल (प्रातिपदिक) + आशन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: समासः: तत्पुरुष (शीर्णानि दलानि; तानि आशनम् यस्याः); स्त्रीलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st), एकवचनम्

Speaker

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 presents tapas as a graded discipline—steadiness of posture and gradual restraint of food—aimed at purification, mastery over the senses, and single-pointed spiritual resolve.

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

Though the verse focuses on austerity, such self-restraint is shown as a supportive sadhana that stabilizes the mind and body, making sustained remembrance and devotion to the chosen deity easier and more focused.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana, Jyotisha, or Kalpa) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is the Kalpa-like principle of regulated observance—progressive vrata-style discipline through controlled diet and posture.