Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 95

The Greatness of the Gaṅgā (Gaṅgā-māhātmya): Saudāsa/Kalmāṣapāda’s Curse and Release

Devanagari script

सर्वशास्त्रार्थतत्वज्ञैर्भाषितं प्रवदामि ते । यः पुराणानि वदति धर्मयुक्तानि पणडितः ॥ ९५ ॥

Transliteration

sarvaśāstrārthatatvajñairbhāṣitaṃ pravadāmi te | yaḥ purāṇāni vadati dharmayuktāni paṇaḍitaḥ || 95 ||

Translation

我将向你宣说：这是通达一切经论（śāstra）真实旨趣与原则之诸贤所言——那位学者若能依达摩而宣讲《往世书》（Purāṇa），便是真正的班智达（paṇḍita）。

Word by Word

• सर्व-शास्त्र-अर्थ-तत्त्व-ज्ञैः: by knowers of the true meaning of all scriptures
• सर्व-शास्त्र-अर्थ-तत्त्व-ज्ञैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक) + शास्त्र (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक) + तत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक) + ज्ञ (√ज्ञा धातु, क्त/णिनि-प्रायः; प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमास (सर्वेषां शास्त्राणाम् अर्थतत्त्वं जानन्ति ये); पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन

• भाषितम्: that which has been spoken
• भाषितम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाष् (धातु) + त (क्त-प्रत्यय; कृदन्त)
• Form: क्तान्त कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; here as कर्म/वस्तु (that which is spoken)

• प्रवदामि: I declare
• प्रवदामि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र + वद् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present/वर्तमान), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; चतुर्थी (dative/4th), एकवचन

• यः: who
• यः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पुराणानि: the Purāṇas
• पुराणानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुराण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (accusative), बहुवचन

• वदति: speaks/recites
• वदति: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद् (धातु)
• Form: लट्, प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• धर्म-युक्तानि: endowed with dharma/righteous
• धर्म-युक्तानि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + युक्त (युज् धातु, क्त-प्रत्यय; कृदन्त)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (धर्मेण युक्तानि); क्तान्त कृदन्त-विशेषण; नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; पुराणानि इति विशेष्य

• पण्डितः: a learned man
• पण्डितः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पण्डित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

Narada

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: shanta

Secondary Rasa: bhakti

FAQs

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

It defines true learning as Dharma-aligned understanding and teaching: mastery is not mere recitation, but conveying Purāṇic wisdom in a way that upholds righteousness and the śāstric tattva (core truth).

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

By insisting that Purāṇas be taught in accord with Dharma, it implies that devotion must be guided by right conduct and right understanding—Bhakti becomes authentic when grounded in śāstric meaning rather than sentiment alone.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

The verse emphasizes śāstra-artha (correct interpretation) and tattva-jñāna—skills supported by Vedāṅga disciplines like Vyākaraṇa (grammar) and Nirukta (etymology) to preserve accurate meaning in teaching.