Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 5

The Exposition of Spiritual Knowledge

Jñāna-pradarśanam

Devanagari script

तडिल्लेखाश्रिया मत्ता वृथाहङ्कारदूषिताः । न यजन्ति जगन्नाथं सर्वश्रेयोविधायकम् ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

taḍillekhāśriyā mattā vṛthāhaṅkāradūṣitāḥ | na yajanti jagannāthaṃ sarvaśreyovidhāyakam || 5 ||

Translation

他们沉醉于如电光一闪般短暂的荣华，又被虚妄我慢所染，便不礼敬宇宙之主贾甘纳塔（Jagannātha）——赐予一切至善者。

Word by Word

• तडिल्लेखाश्रिया: by the splendor of a lightning-streak
• तडिल्लेखाश्रिया: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तडित्-लेखा-श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (तडिल्लेखायाः श्रीः)

• मत्ताः: intoxicated, infatuated
• मत्ताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मत्त (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √मद् (धातु), क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त विशेषण

• वृथा: vainly, uselessly
• वृथा: Hetu/Prakara (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वृथा (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रियाविशेषण अव्यय (adverb)

• अहङ्कारदूषिताः: tainted by ego
• अहङ्कारदूषिताः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अहङ्कार-दूषित (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक; √दूष् (धातु), क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (अहङ्कारस्य दूषिताः)

• न: not
• न: Pratishedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक अव्यय

• यजन्ति: they worship
• यजन्ति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √यज् (धातु)
• Form: लट्-लकार, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• जगन्नाथम्: the Lord of the universe
• जगन्नाथम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत्-नाथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (जगतः नाथः)

• सर्वश्रेयोविधायकम्: the bestower of all welfare
• सर्वश्रेयोविधायकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व-श्रेयस्-विधायक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सर्वस्य श्रेयसः विधायकः) विशेषणम् (जगन्नाथम्)

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue form)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Characters & Entities

• Jagannatha
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

It contrasts fleeting worldly glamour with lasting spiritual welfare, teaching that ego and intoxication with impermanent beauty prevent worship of Jagannatha, the source of all true good (śreyas).

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

Bhakti requires humility and clear discernment; when one abandons vain pride and recognizes Vishnu as sarva-śreyaḥ-vidhāyaka (giver of the highest good), worship becomes sincere and transformative.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana, Jyotisha, or Shiksha) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is ethical-spiritual discipline—checking ahaṅkāra as a prerequisite for meaningful yajña/worship.