Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 11

Sṛṣṭi-varṇana, Bhārata-khaṇḍa-mahātmya, and Jagad-bhūgola

Creation, Glory of Bhārata, and World Geography

Devanagari script

उपाधिभिर्यथाकाशो भिन्नत्वेन प्रतीयते । अविद्योपाधियोगेनतथेदमखिलं जगत् ॥ ११ ॥

Transliteration

upādhibhiryathākāśo bhinnatvena pratīyate | avidyopādhiyogenatathedamakhilaṃ jagat || 11 ||

Translation

正如虚空因诸限制性依附而似乎被分割，同样，此一全宇宙也因与无明（avidyā）之依附相应而显现为差别。

Word by Word

• उपाधिभिः: by limiting adjuncts
• उपाधिभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपाधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), बहुवचन

• यथा: as/just as
• यथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Comparison marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथा (अव्यय)
• Form: उपमार्थक-अव्यय (comparative particle)

• आकाशः: space/ether
• आकाशः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• भिन्नत्वेन: as (if) distinctness
• भिन्नत्वेन: Karana (करण/Instrument/Mode)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भिन्नत्व (प्रातिपदिक; भिन्न + त्व)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• प्रतीयते: is perceived/appears
• प्रतीयते: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति-इ (धातु; √इ/ए ‘to go/appear’)
• Form: लट् (Present), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन

• अविद्या-उपाधि-योगेन: by the connection with the adjunct of ignorance
• अविद्या-उपाधि-योगेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अविद्या (प्रातिपदिक) + उपाधि (प्रातिपदिक) + योग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (अविद्यायाः उपाधिः तस्य योगः)

• तथा: so/likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Correlation)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: तुल्यार्थक-अव्यय (correlative adverb: ‘so/likewise’)

• इदम्: this
• इदम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अखिलम्: entire
• अखिलम्: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अखिल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• जगत्: world
• जगत्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: none

Characters & Entities

• Narada
• Sanatkumara

FAQs

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

It teaches that perceived multiplicity is an appearance caused by avidyā (ignorance), like space seeming divided by containers—pointing the seeker toward liberation through removing ignorance rather than “fixing” the Absolute.

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

By showing the world’s divisions as ignorance-born, it supports bhakti as a purifying discipline: devotion to Vishnu steadies the mind, reduces egoic separations, and prepares one for direct insight into unity.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is viveka (discernment) in understanding how perception is conditioned—useful for correct scriptural interpretation (linked to Vyākaraṇa/Mīmāṃsā-style clarity).