Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 96

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

Devanagari script

संसारपाशविच्छेदकरणानि स उत्तमः । देवपूजार्हकर्माणि देवतापूजने फलम् ॥ ९६ ॥

Transliteration

saṃsārapāśavicchedakaraṇāni sa uttamaḥ | devapūjārhakarmāṇi devatāpūjane phalam || 96 ||

Translation

此道为最上，因为它能斩断轮回（saṃsāra）的系缚；而适于礼敬诸天（deva）之行，亦由对诸神的供奉而得其果报。

Word by Word

• संसार-पाश-विच्छेद-करणानि: means for cutting the bonds of saṃsāra
• संसार-पाश-विच्छेद-करणानि: Karma/Predicative (कर्म/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: संसार (प्रातिपदिक) + पाश (प्रातिपदिक) + विच्छेद (प्रातिपदिक) + करण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमास (संसारस्य पाशस्य विच्छेदस्य करणानि); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन

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

• उत्तमः: excellent/supreme
• उत्तमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विधेयविशेषण (predicative adjective)

• देव-पूजा-अर्ह-कर्माणि: acts worthy of worship of the gods
• देव-पूजा-अर्ह-कर्माणि: Karma/Predicative (कर्म/विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक) + पूजा (प्रातिपदिक) + अर्ह (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमास (देवपूजायाम् अर्हाणि कर्माणि); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• देवता-पूजने: in the worship of deities
• देवता-पूजने: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवता (प्रातिपदिक) + पूजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषसमास (देवतायाः पूजने); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (locative/7th), एकवचन

• फलम्: fruit/result
• फलम्: Karta/Predicative (विधेय)
• Type: Noun
• Root: फल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

Speaker

Sanatkumara (teaching 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 the “highest” discipline as that which severs the bondage of saṃsāra, and it affirms that properly performed worship-eligible actions bear fruit specifically through devatā-pūjā.

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

By locating “phala” (spiritual result) in devatā-pūjā, it emphasizes devotion expressed as reverent worship as a direct means for receiving merit and progressing toward freedom from worldly bondage.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

It points to ritual competence—knowing which karmas are “pūjārha” (fit for worship) and how worship is performed—aligning with Kalpa (ritual procedure) rather than grammar or astrology.