Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 17

Mokṣopāya: Bhakti-rooted Jñāna and the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Viṣṇu-Meditation

Devanagari script

वेदार्थविद्भिः कर्मज्ञैरिज्यते विविधैर्मखैः । स एव कर्मफलदो मोक्षदोऽकामकर्मणाम् ॥ १७ ॥

Transliteration

vedārthavidbhiḥ karmajñairijyate vividhairmakhaiḥ | sa eva karmaphalado mokṣado'kāmakarmaṇām || 17 ||

Translation

通晓吠陀义理、精于祭仪之人，以种种祭祀礼敬祂；唯有祂赐予业果，并赐解脱于无欲而行者。

Word by Word

• वेदार्थविद्भिः: by knowers of the Veda’s meaning
• वेदार्थविद्भिः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेद (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + विद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd case), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष ‘वेदार्थं विदन्ति ये’

• कर्मज्ञैः: by those skilled in rites
• कर्मज्ञैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञ (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक from √ज्ञा)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष ‘कर्म जानन्ति ये’

• इज्यते: is worshipped/sacrificed to
• इज्यते: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √यज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार (Present), कर्मणि प्रयोग (Passive), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• विविधैः: by various
• विविधैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विविध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; विशेषण (of ‘मखैः’)

• मखैः: sacrifices (rites)
• मखैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• एव: indeed/alone
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात (particle), अवधारणार्थ (emphasis/only)

• कर्मफलदः: giver of the fruits of actions
• कर्मफलदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + फल (प्रातिपदिक) + द (कृदन्त; √दा धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (of ‘सः’); समासः—तत्पुरुष ‘कर्मफलम् ददाति इति’

• मोक्षदः: giver of liberation
• मोक्षदः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मोक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + द (कृदन्त; √दा धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (of ‘सः’); समासः—तत्पुरुष ‘मोक्षं ददाति इति’

• अकामकर्मणाम्: of those who act without desire
• अकामकर्मणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अकाम (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष ‘अकामं कर्म येषाम्/अकामेन कर्मणा युक्तानाम्’ (desireless performers)

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta (peace)

Secondary Rasa: bhakti (devotion)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It identifies the Supreme Lord (Vishnu) as the real dispenser of results: rituals may be many, but the fruit of karma and the gift of moksha ultimately come from Him, especially when action is purified of desire.

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

Even when worship is performed as Vedic sacrifice, the verse centers the act on Him as the worship-worthy Lord and the giver of grace; devotion is implied as surrendering results to Vishnu and seeking Him rather than mere worldly gains.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It highlights ritual competence and Vedic meaning—skills associated with Kalpa (ritual procedure) and understanding of Veda-artha—showing that correct yajña performance and its intent (niṣkāma) shape spiritual outcomes.