Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 34

Ekādaśī Vrata-Vidhi and the Galava–Bhadrashīla Itihāsa

Dharmakīrti before Yama

Devanagari script

उवास नर्मदातीरे शान्तो दान्तस्तपोनिधिः । बहुवृक्षसमाकीर्णे गजभल्लुनिषेविते ॥ ३४ ॥

Transliteration

uvāsa narmadātīre śānto dāntastaponidhiḥ | bahuvṛkṣasamākīrṇe gajabhalluniṣevite || 34 ||

Translation

他住在那尔摩陀河（Narmadā）岸边，心寂而安、克己自持，堪称苦行之宝藏；其地林木繁茂，常有大象与熊出没。

Word by Word

• उवास: dwelt/lived
• उवास: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वस् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• नर्मदा-तीरे: on the bank of the Narmadā
• नर्मदा-तीरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण—देश)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नर्मदा (प्रातिपदिक) + तीर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), एकवचन; समासः—नर्मदायाः तीरम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• शान्तः: peaceful
• शान्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शान्त (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-आधारित)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of Gālava)

• दान्तः: self-controlled
• दान्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दान्त (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-आधारित)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• तपो-निधिः: treasury of austerity (great ascetic)
• तपो-निधिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक) + निधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तपसां निधिः (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• बहु-वृक्ष-समाकीर्णे: filled with many trees
• बहु-वृक्ष-समाकीर्णे: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु (प्रातिपदिक) + वृक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + समाकीर्ण (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-आधारित)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अधिकरणस्य विशेषणम् (नर्मदातीरे); समासः—बहुभिः वृक्षैः समाकीर्णम् (तत्पुरुष)

• गज-भल्लु-निषेविते: frequented by elephants and bears
• गज-भल्लु-निषेविते: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गज (प्रातिपदिक) + भल्लु (प्रातिपदिक) + निषेवित (प्रातिपदिक; कृदन्त-आधारित)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; अधिकरणस्य विशेषणम्; समासः—गजैः भल्लुभिः च निषेवितम् (समाहार-तत्पुरुष)

Speaker

Suta (narrator) describing a sage’s ascetic residence (contextual narration within the Purana’s dialogue frame)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Characters & Entities

• Narmada

FAQs

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

It highlights the ideal ascetic setting and inner qualifications—śama (peace) and dama (self-restraint)—showing that sustained tapas is supported by solitude in a tīrtha environment like the Narmadā’s bank.

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

Though not explicitly naming bhakti, it presents the preparatory disciplines (tranquility, restraint, and austere living) that stabilize the mind, making it fit for steady remembrance and devotion to the Lord taught elsewhere in the Narada Purana.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is āśrama-dharma—choosing a conducive place and lifestyle for vows, japa, and tapas at a sacred riverbank.