The Närada Puräëa
A Summary Study of the Sixth Mahä-Puräëa
(Compiled by Ekanätha däsa)

	The Närada-Puräëa or Näradéya-Puräëa, as it is also called, is one of the six Puräëas that are said to be in the mode of goodness, (Pd.P. Uttara-khaëòa 236.18-21). It is thus accepted as a Vaiñëava puräëa and is found on the sixth rank in the lists of puräëas, given in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam, the Viñëu P. and the Märkaëòeya Puräëa. In this summary we are not going to discuss problems and controversies associated with puräëic research. The objective of this paper is, to present a concise but highly usable overview of the contents of the Närada Puräëa. It should be mentioned however, that presently there is only one printed Sanskrit edition of the NP. available. It is the Veìkaöeçvara Edition, which consists of 18,550 verses. The NP itself, as well as many other Puräëas, declare it to consist of 25,000 verses. For our present analysis the Motilal Banarsidass English translation of the NP was used. The text comes in five volumes and shows 18,573 verses.

	The Närada-Püräëa has two parts. The first part is called pürvabhäga and is divided into four pädas. The second part is called uttarabhäga and has two sub-sections.

Pürvabhäga
Prathama | | Båhadupäkhyäna |
First Päda | Second Päda | Third Päda | Fourth Päda
Chapters: 1-41	     41 | Chapters: 42-62	     21 | Chapters: 63-91         29 | Chapters: 92-125       34
Verses:		3,538 | Verses:		3,096 | Verses:		4,746 | Verses:		1,801
Events:		     84 | Events:		     20 | Events:		      8 | Events:		       8
Speakers:	     56 | Speakers:	     17 | Speakers:	      7 | Speakers:	       7
Dialogues:	     28 | Dialogues:	       9 | Dialogues:	      2 | Dialogues:	       3
Other speech:	     28 | Other speech:	       2 | Other speech:	      4 | Other speech:	       2
Main dialogues: | Main dialogues: | Main dialogues: | Main dialogues:
Sanaka & Närada | Sanandana & Närada | Sanatkumära & Närada | Sanätana & Närada
Süta & Sages | Bhågu & Bhäradväja | Süta & Sages | Brahmä & Maréci
Yamaåäja & Bhagératha | Keçidhvaj & Khäëòikya | Rämacandra & Sanatk. | Sanatkumära & Närada
Table 1: Pürvabhäga, structure;  the chapter numbering is continuous from 1 to 125.
Uttarabhäga
Rukmäìgadacarita | Térthayäträ
Chapters: 1-37				     37 | Chapters: 38-82				     45
Verses:					2,093 | Verses:					3,299
Events:					     88 | Events:					     53
Speakers:				     37 | Speakers:				     39
Dialogues:				     27 | Dialogues:				     14
Other speech:				     34 | Other speech:				     25
Main dialogues: | Main dialogues:
Vasiñöha & Mändhätä | Vasu & Mohiné
Rukmäìgada & Mohiné | Indradyumna & Jagannätha
Kandalé & Kauëòinya | Jaimini & Çiva
Käñöhélä & Sandhyävalé | Süta & Sages
Table 2: Uttarabhäga, structure; the chapter numbering is continuous from 1 to 82 

	The Närada-Puräëa is the record of 83 dialogues and 95 non-reciprocating types of speech, delivered by 124 different personalities in 261 events. In the above tables the main dialogues and speakers are listed. In the appendix you will find an alphabetical list of all speakers in the Närada-Puräëa.

	In the four pädas of the pürvabhäga, four different speakers, namely the Four Kumäras, address Närada. In the beginning there is an auspicious invocation in two verses, addressig Gurus, Gaëeça, Väsudeva, Nara-Näräyaëa and Sarasvaté. It is similar to ÇB.1.2.4 (näräyaëam namaskåtya). There are further obeisances to Veda-Vyäsa, Upendra and Våndävana. The Lord is described as the Supreme Consciousness and Brahmä, Viñëu and Çiva are named as His parts, who perform the works of creation, maintenance and destruction.

	Next a short introduction to the setting is related. A group of 26,000 sages is asking questions to Çaunaka Åñi at Naimiñäraëya. Çaunaka proposes to go to Siddhäçrama and put the questions before Süta Gosvämé. The sages want to know about the origin of the cosmic manifestation, about the worship of Viñëu and about the welfare of people in general. They also ask about the nature of bhakti.

	Süta Gosvämé answers all these question by refering to an earlier dialogue between Närada and the Four Kumäras. In this way the first part of the NP. is developed.
Sanaka becomes the main speaker in the first päda. He alone speaks 2,088 verses and the remaining verses are related by him in form of twenty-six minor dialogues which he quotes to Närada. So in the first päda of the NP., there are three levels of dialogue, Süta/ Sages, Sanaka/ Närada and twenty-six shorter dialogues. A statistical analysis of the present puräëa shows, that 94% of the verses are given in the form of dialogues. We will therefore present the summary by naming the dialogues and listing the topics that  are related.  The number in (), which follows each topic, indicates the chapter. A precise brake down of the speaker-listener sequence with chapter and verse references, is given in the appendix.

Topics in Sanaka-Närada Dialogue

Aditi, not burned (11)
Aditi, saved by meditation(11)
Atonement for diff. sins (30)
Båhaspati & Indra, dialogue (40)
Bähu, King, story of (7)
Banners, installation of (19)
Banners, installation of (20)
Bathing, Deities (22)
Bhadraçéla, son of Gälava (23)
Bhagératha, brought Gaìgä (15)
Bhagératha, penances of (15)
Bhagératha, brings Gaìgä (16)
Bhagératha, meets Bhågu (16)
Bhagératha (12)
Bhagératha (8)
Bodies, different types of (32)
Brähmaëa-gåhastha, rules (26)
Chanting, in Kali yuga (41)
Charitable gifts, benefits of (12)
Cosmic Time Scale (5)
Creation, cycles of (31)
Creation, outline (3)
Daityas, burned (11)
Deity worship (22)
Deluge, final (5)
Devotees, qualities (4)
Devotees, activities (4)
Devotees, destination (4)
Devotion to the Lord (4)
Dharmaräja (12)
Dhvajäropaëa-vrata (19)
Dilipa (8)
Dvädaçé-tithi, calculation of (17)
Dvädaçé-vrata, greatness of (17)
Ekädaçé-tithi, explained (29)
Ekädaçé-vrata, glories of (23)
Fasting, for one month (22)
Gåhasthas, duties of (27)
Gåhya-sütra (18)
Gaìgä, glories of (6)
Gaìgä, origin of (10)
Gaìgä, glories of (11)
Gaìgä water, potency of (9)
Gälava, sage, story of (23)
Girls, not fit to be married (26)
Girls, suitable for marriage (26)
Gulika, the hunter, story of (37)
Hari, meditation on (33)
Hari-papycamä-vrata (21)
Hellish tortures for sins (31)
Holy name, in Kali yuga (41)
Household life (26)
Human birth, explained (32)
Indra & Båhaspatu, dialogue (40)
Indra & Sudhramä, dialogue (40)
Janärdhana, to please Him (34)
Jänati, story of (35)
Jayadhvaja, story of (39)
Kali yuga, details about (41)
Kalmäñapäda, story of (9)
Kalmäñapäda = Mitrasaha (9)
Kapila, fire from His eyes (8)
Kärttika, pürëimä in (18)
Lakes, digging, benefits of  (12)
Lakñmé-Näräyaëa-vrata (18)
Måkaëòu, Lord as son of (5)
Märgaçérña, pürëimä in (18)
Märkaëòeya (4)
Märkaëòeya (5)
Marriage, eight kinds of (26)
Mäsopaväsa-vrata, fasting (22)
Mäyä, of Viñëu (5)
Meditation, power of (11)
Meditation, on Viñëu (11)
Mitrasaha, became a Räkñasa (8)
Mitrasaha, purified by Gaìgä (9)
Moon-phase & Dvädaçé-tithi (17)
Näräyaëa, worship, supreme (30)
Näräyaëa, greatness of (31)
Näräyaëa, glories of (32)
Näräyaëa, meditation on (33)
Oàkära, meditation on (33)
Païca-rätri-vrata (21)
Paramätma, meditation on (33)
Präyaçcitta, for diff. sins (30)
Phalaçruti (20)
Phalaçruti (16)
Piety, rewards listed (31)
Praëava, meditation on (33)
Prayer, to Lord Viñëu (19)
Räkñasa, in Sagara's line (7)
Saàskäras, listed (25)
Sagara, family line of (7)
Sagara, going to battle (8)
Sagara, activities of his sons (8)
Sagara (7)
Sagara, birth of (8)
Sannyäsés, duties of (27)
Çänti-sükta (18)
Çänti-süktas (19)
Sins, atonement for 5 great (30)
Sins & punishments (31)
Species, attained by soul (32)
Çräddha, tithi, calculation (29)
Çräddha, ceremony (28)
Sudäs (8)
Sudharmä & Indra, dialogue (40)
Sumäli, story of (36)
Sumati, installed banners (20)
Sumati, King, story of (20)
Supersoul, meditation on (33)
Térthas (6)
Time, intervals of (5)
Tithis, listing, calculation (29)
Tortures in Hell, listed (31)
Tulasédevé, worship of (39)
Uttaìka, story of (37)
Vämanadeva, glories of (11)
Vänaprasthas, duties of (27)
Varëas, in Kali yuga (41)
Varëas & Äçramas (24)
Vasiñöha, cursed Sudas' son (9)
Vedamäli, story of (35)
Vedas, not studied on days (25)
Vétihotra, story of (20)
Viñëu, feet origin of Gaìgä (10)
Viñëu, glories of (32)
Viñëu, meditation on (33)
Viñëu, qualities of the Lord (34)
Viñëu, inconceivable qualts. (34)
Viñëudutas, discourse with (36)
Wells, digging, benefits of (12)
Yajïamäli, story of (36)
Yamadutas, discourse with (36)
Yamaräja, path of (31)
Yoga, añöäìga, for devotees (33)
Yoga System, for devotees (33)
Yugas, details about (41)

Sages-Süta 1-1-29
Bhakti, nature of (1)
Cosmic manifestation, origin (1)
Devotion, results of (1)
Närada & Kumäras, dialogue (1)
Proper action, what is? (1)
Salvation (1)
Worship of a guest (1)
Worship of Lord Viñëu (1)
Phalaçruti (2)
Märkaëòeya, survived, how? (1)
Måkaëòu, story of (4)

Demigods-Näräyaëa 1-4-55
Protect us, prayer, (4)
Lord is described as-  (4)
	-imperishable
	-infinite
	-protector
	-chief
	-Universe-form
	-cause of universe
	-Lord of gods
	-sanctifier of worlds
	-wittness of universe
	-understood by dhyäna
	-object of contemplation
	-witness of meditation
	-Keçi-Killer
	-Madhusüdana
	-Paramätma
	-Earth (form of)
	-whose form is sentience
	-the Oldest
	-pure
	-without attributes
	-formless
	-multi formed one
	-friendly to brähmaëas
	-Kåñëa
	-form of Brahmä
	-form of the Sun
	-enjoyer of yajïas
	-sat-cit-änanda-vigraha
	-destroyer of distress
Måkaëòu, glories of (4)
Pleasures, worldly (4)
Troubles, not causing other (4)
Miseries, threefold (4)

Måkaëòu-Hari 1-4-83
Prayer by Måkaëòu: (4)
Lord is described as-
	-Paramätma
	-greater than the great
	-transcendental
	-unfathomable
	-protector of devotees
	-supreme Deity
	-ruler of the universe
	-having no name & caste
	-form, beyond words
	-not affected by forms
	-eternal
	-the oldest person
	-knowable by Upaniñads
	-having form of universe
	-beyond comparison
	-merciful to devotees
	-revealing Self to pure
	-revealing to desireless
	-Lord Viñëu
	-destroyer of distress
	-shelter of the worlds
	-Acyuta (4)
	-Janärdana (4)
Viñëu, benediction (4)

Mäåkaëòeya-Hari 1-5-36
Prayer by Märkaëòeya (5)
Lord Hari is described as-
	-Janärdana
	-Sahasraçérña-puruñaù
	-free from ailments
	-Väsudeva
	-who needs no support
	-support of all
	-immeasurable
	-un-aging
	-eternal
	-pure spiritual bliss
	-beyond imagination
	-imperishable
	-Eternal Supreme Being
	-universal-eyed
	-omnipresent
	-omniscient
	-source of the universe
	-constituting säìkhyas
	-ancient puruña
	-yogeçvara
	-reservoir of knowledge
	-greater than the great
	-highest splendor
	-greatest abode
	-whose region is highest
	-single & multiformed
	-existence
	-entity
	-sat-cid-änanda-vigraha
	-endowed with attribute
	-transcendental to attrib
	-beyond Mäyä
	-master of Mäyä
	-primordial Deity
	-creator
	-maintainer
	-annihilator
	-compassionate
	-ocean of mercy
	-beyond mental specul.
Viñëu, benediction (5)
Viñëu, as devotee(s) (5)
Bhägavatas, characteristics of (5)

Aurva-Queen 1-7-51
Self immolation, stopped (7)
Bähu, King, his Queen & Son (7)
Aurva, sage, saves queen (7)

Sagara-Vasiñöha 1-8-41
Vasiñöha, protects enemies (8)
Killing, bodies already dead (8)
Sagara, wants to kill all (8)

Demigods-Kapila 1-8-82
Prayer by Demigods (8)
Protection, from Sagar's sons (8)
Lord Kapila described as-
	-in bliss of säìkhya
	-Lord Viñëu
	-victorious
	-devotee
	-forest fire
	-devoid of passion
	-devoid of attachment
Kapila, benediction (8)
Sons of Sagara, will all die (8)

Aàñumän-Kapila 1-8-122
Aàñumän, prays to Kapila (8)
Kapila, gives benediction (8)

Brähmaëé-Kaläñapäda 1-9-55
Brähmaëé, curses Kalmäñap. (9)
Kalmäñap., curses Brähmaëé  (9)

Räkñasa-Kalmäñapäda 1-9-37
Brahma-Räkñasa, story of (9)

Viñëu-Aditi 1-11-16
Viñëu, gives boon to Aditi (11)
Aditi, prayer to Viñëu (11)

Kaçyapa-Vämana 1-11-72
Kaçyapa, prayer to Vämana (11)
Vämana, gives benediction (11)

Çukra-Bali 1-11-92
Çukra, warns Bali (11)
Bali, rejects Çukra (11)

Dharmaåäja-Bhagératha 1-12-36
Dharmaräja, praises Bhagér. (12)
Bhagératha, questions- (12)
	-number of duties?
	-destination of pious?
	-types of tortures?
	-who is punishable?
	-who is honourable?
Dharmaräja explains- (12)
	-dharmas, list of
	-pious activities
	-digging wells
	-digging lakes

Bhagératha-Bhågu 1-16-11
Bhagératha, meets Bhågu (16)
Liberation, how to get (16)
Mantra, eight syllable (16)
Mantra, twelve syllable (16)
Matras, explained (16)
Truth, nature of (16)
Mahä-Viñëu, worship of (16)
Çiva, prayer to (16)
Bhagératha, prayer to Çiva (16)

Sumati-Vibhäëòaka 1-20-17
Banners, installation of (20)
Viñëudutas, Yamadutas (20)
Devotional service, superior (20)

Gälava-Bhadraçéla 1-23-44
Ekädaçé, glories of (23)
Gälava, sage (23)
Bhadraçéla, son of Gälava (23)
Yamadutas, Yamaräja (23)
Viñëu, worship of (23)

Vedamäli-Jänati 1-35-40
Badarékäçrama (35)
Jänati,  Vedamäli's guru (35)
Vedmäli, story of (35)
Brahman, as true self (35)
Devotional service (35)

Yajïamäli-Viñëudutas 1-36-31
Yajïamäli, story of (36)
Sumäli, tortured in Hell (36)
Viñëudutas, questioned (36)
Pious activities, benefits of (36)

Uttaìka-Gulika 1-37-31
Viñëu, worship of (37)
Gaìgä, water, potency of (37)
Gulika, the hunter, story  of (37)
Gulika, died of repentance (37)

Uttaìka-Viñëu 1-38-3
Prayer to Viñëu by Uttaìka (38)
Viñëu, qualities of (38)
Phalaçruti, by Lord Viñëu (38)
Viñëu, gives blessings (38)

Vétihotra-Jayadhvaja 1-39-17
Devotional service (39)
Devotee of devotee, worship (39)
Worldy existence, to cross (39)
Jayadhvaja, King, story of (39)
Raivata, story of (39)
Vétihotra, priest (39)
Cleaning temple, benefits of (39)
Offering lamp, benefits of (39)

Indra-Båhaspati 1-40-4
Indra, in a previous Kalpa (40)
Båhaspati, istructs Indra (40)

Sudharmä-Indra 1-40-13
Indra, hears from Sudharmä (40)
Sudharmä, story of (40)
Circumambulating a temple (40)

	The first päda of the Närada Puräëa has thus been described. It is worth mentionening at this point, that a scripture named Båhannäradéya Puräëa, which is mainly considered an upapuräëa, is practically a copy, verbatim, of chapters one to fourty-one of the Närada Puräëa. In other words the Båhannäradéya P. is identical with the first päda of the Närada Puräëa. In the Båhannäradéya P., Närada is the main speaker and the book is divided into thirty-eight adyäyas. After studying the complete Närada Puräëa, it becomes evident, that the first päda is the part which is mainly focused on worship of Lord Viñëu. It is the only part which contains actual Vaiñëava teachings. This is further supported by an analysis of all the prayers given in this Puräëa. It appears to be reasonable, therefore, to suggest that the Båhannäradéya-Puräëa,  was circulated as a separate work, to suit the needs of the Vaiñëava devotees.

	In the entire Närada-Puräëa, there is a total number of twenty-four prayers. Two of these are dedicated to Lord Çiva. It is the prayer by Bhagératha in part one, chapter sixteen, and the prayer by Jaimini Åñi, in part two, chapter seventy-three. Jaimini's prayer is quite interesting. It is called the veda-päda-stotra. The remarkable feature of this hymn is, that each çloka contains one päda from the actual Vedas. But back to our initial observation, of the total number of twenty-four prayers, fifteen are found in the first päda of the Närada Puräëa. The following table gives an overview of the prayers.

Devotee | Section | Count | Addressed | Comments
Vyäsadeva | 1st päda, 1-1-1 | 2 | Väsudeva | Invocation
Närada | 1st päda, 1-2-21 | 35 | All Avatäras | Like ÇB.1.3.1-29
Demigods | 1st päda, 1-4-55 | 9 | Näräyaëa | Save us!!
Måkaëòu | 1st päda, 1-4-83 | 9 | Viñëu, Acyuta | Rejects any boon
Märkäëòeya | 1st päda, 1-5-36 | 9 | Janärdana | Name reptd. 8 times
Demigods | 1st päda, 1-8-82 | 3 | Viñëu | Save us!!
Aàñumän | 1st päda, 1-8-122 | 6 | Kapiladeva | Kindly forgive
Aditi | 1st päda, 1-11-19 | 31 | Viñëu, Janärdana | puruña-sükta like
Kaçyapa | 1st päda, 1-11-72 | 10 | Vamanadeva | pranäma
Bali | 1st päda, 1-11-109 | 6 | Vämanadeva | Polite address
Demigods | 1st päda, 1-11-184 | 3 | Vämanadeva | pranäma
Demigods | 1st päda, 1-16-54 | 8 | Viñëu | Save us!!
Bhagératha | 1st päda, 1-16-78 | 20 | Çiva | Be pleased to help.
Uttaìka | 1st päda, 1-38-3 | 38 | Ëäräyaëa | Wonderful prayer
Sanaka | 1st päda, 1-18-22 | 17 | Håñikeça, Keçava | Be pleased O Lord
| | 1. päda total:      206 | |
Çukadeva | 2nd päda,1-62-51 | 16 | Avatäras, Govinda | Obeisances
Sanatkumära | 3rd päda, 1-82-25 | 2 | Rädhä-Kåñëa, Hari | I belong to You.
| | 2.-3. päda total:    18 | |
Çiva | uttara-bhäga 29.39 | 15 | Kåñëa, Nåsiàha, etc. | Names of the Lord
Käñöhélä | uttara-bhäga 31.24 | 2 | Sun, Acyuta | Dispell my sins!
Demigods | uttara-bhäga 32.24 | 19 | Viñëu | Save us!!
Yamaräja | uttara-bhäga 52.73 | 12 | Jagannätha | Form of the Lord
Indradyumna | uttara-bhäga 53.9 | 59 | Jagannätha | Names of the Lord
Demigods | uttara-bhäga 61.2 | 22 | Jagannätha | Names of the Lord
Jaimini | uttara-bhäga 73-15 | 112 | Çiva | Veda-päda hymn
| | uttarab.total:      241 | |
Table 3: Prayers in the Närada Puräëa

	Table three shows the distribution of the twenty-four prayers in the Puräëa. Of course, in the third päda of the Närada Puräëa, which exclusively deals with tantra or different methods of worship of different Deities, an abundance of  mantras is given by Sanatkumära. Even though these mantras often have the form of  short prayers, we do not consider them as such in this context. 

	Twenty-two prayers are directly addressed to Lord Viñëu, and this can be taken as a further indication of the predominance of the mode of goodness here. Two prayers are addressed to Lord Çiva. However, Bhagératha's prayer, even though glorifying Çiva as the Supreme, was spoken in obedience to Lord Viñëu's instruction. Lord Viñëu had ordered Bhagératha to offer prayers to Lord Çiva, according to his own capacity. He had also pointed out that Çiva was only a part of Him.

	Next we will discuss the structure and contents of the second päda of the pürva-
bhäga. Complete listings of all speakers and listeners in the Närada-Puräëa, are given in the appendix. There is an alphabetical list of names, as well as separate charts for each chapter, revealing the structure of the book and facilitating further statistical analysis.

	In the second päda of the Närada Puräëa, we find a marked decrease of variety. There is only a quarter of the number of events, as compared to the first päda. The dialogues are reduced to a third. There are nine dialogues, of which Sanandana's talks with Närada occupy the major portion. Närada is asking questions in twenty-three çlokas and Sanandana replies in 2,195 çlokas. The ratio is therefore nearly that of one to hundret, whereas the first päda features a question to answer ratio of one to fourty-one. In the following we will show the different dialogues and list the topics that are related. The special feature of this päda is an outline of the six vedäìgas, çikñä, kalpa, vyäkaraëa, nirukta, jyotiña and chandas. Çikñä is summarized in by Sanandana in 224 verses. He calls it himself ,"a brief outline." Kalpa is presented in 158 verses, vyäkaraëa in 96 verses, nirukta in 88 verses, jyotiña in 187 verses and chandas in 21 verses. The topic of jyoitiña is further elaborated in tow separate chapters, counting 1,124 çlokas, exlusively dealing with astronomy, astrology and related issues. Each planet and its influence is discussed in detail. At the end of the päda, the story of Çukadeva is narrated. However, this must be a different person than the one we know from the Bhägavatam.

Topics in Sanandana-Närada Dialogue

Aìkurärpaëa (56)
Äkåti, metre, 22s (57)
Annapräçana (56)
Anücana, Çukadeva as (50)
Anücana, how to become (50)
Anuñöubh, metre, 8s (57)
Añöi, metre, 16s (57)
Association, good, bad (50)
Asterisms (56)
Astrology, natural (56)
Astrology (54)
Astronomy (54)
Atiçakvaré, metre, 15s (57)
Atijagaté, metre, 13s (57)
Atikåti, metre, 25s (57)
Atmospheric phenomena (56)
Atyañöi, metre, 17s (57)
Atyuktä, metre, 2s (57)
Båhaté, metre, 9s (57)
Bhågu-Bhäradväja, dialogue (42)
Bhäradväja-Bhågu, dialogue (42)
Bharata mahäräja, story of (48)
Brahman realization (46)
Çakvaré, metre, 14s (57)
Caula (56)
Chandas, 6th vedäìga (57)
Chandas (57)
Çikña, pronunciation (50)
Çikña, first vedäìga (50)
Comets, effects of (56)
Conception (56)
Conjugation, Vedic (53)
Constellations (55)
Creation, of the world (42)
Creation, of the elements (42)
Çukadeva, status of (50)
Çukadeva, birth of (58)
Çukadeva, story of (58)
Çukadeva-Janaka, dialogue (59)
Days, lunar (56)
Days, of the week (56)
Dead, destination of the (42)
Deer, Bharata became (48)
Deities, ruling stars (56)
Deities, installation of (56)
Dhåti, metre, 18s (57)
Diet, for students (50)
Duality (60)
Gaëita (54)
Gäyatré, metre, 6s (57)
Ghåtäcé, apsära, (58)
Grammar, Sanskrit (52)
Grammar, Sanskrit, rules (52)
Guru, syllable (57)
Horoscopy (54)
Horoscopy (55)
Houses, construction of (56)
Influences, of transits (55)
Jagaté, metre, 12s (57)
Janaka, King (59)
Janaka-Çukadeva, dialogue (59)
Janaka-Païcaçikha, dialogue (45)
Jaòa Bharata, story of (48)
Jaòa Bharata-Rahügaëa dia. (48)
Jätaka (54)
Jätakarma (56)
Jupiter, influences (56)
Jupiter (56)
Jyotiña, 5th vedäìga (54)
Kalpa, 2nd vedäìga, (51)
Kåti, metre, 20s (57)
Keçidhvaja-Khäëòikhya, dia. (46)
Ketu, effects of (56)
Ketu (56)
Khäëòikhya-Keçidhvaja, dia. (46)
Kñurikäbandhana (56)
Laghu, syllable (57)
Liberated souls, residence? (62)
Life airs, five (60)
Lords, of muhürtas (56)
Lunar days (56)
Madhyä, metre, 3s (57)
Marriage (56)
Mars, movements of (56)
Mars (56)
Mathematics (54)
Menstruation, first (56)
Mercury, effects of planet (56)
Mercury (56)
Meters (50)
Miseries, threefold (46)
Mokña-dharma (45)
Moon, shapes of (56)
Moon, strength of (56)
Moon (56)
Muhürtas, Lords of (56)
Musical Notes (50)
Nakñatras (56)
Nämakarana (56)
Nescience, libereation from (45)
Nidägha-Åbhu, dialogue (49)
Nirukta, 4th vedäìga (53)
Omens (56)
One syllable, metre(57)
Oneness (60)
Orbits, duration of (56)
Païcaçikha-Janaka, dialogue (45)
Paìkti, metre, 10s (57)
Paramätma (46)
Permutation of syllables (57)
Planetary aspects (55)
Planets, to pacify (51)
Planets, present transits (56)
Prakåti, metre, 21s (57)
Pratiñöhä, metre, 4s (57)
Pravåtti, path of (59)
Procedures (51)
Pronunciation (50)
Puàsavana (56)
Rähu, influences (56)
Rähu (56)
Rahügaëa, King, story of (48)
Rainfall, prediction (56)
Regions, on earth (56)
Ruling Deities of stars (56)
Saàhitä (54)
Saàhitä-skandha (56)
Saàkåté, metre, 24s (57)
Saàskäras, procedure (51)
Sacrifices, procedure (51)
Saìkranti (56)
Sanatk.-Çukadeva, dialogue (60)
Sanatk.-Çukadeva, dialogue (61)
Sandhi (50)
Sanskrit, grammar (52)
Saturn, path of (56)
Saturn (56)
Signs, rising of (56)
Soul, nature of (42)
Sowing (56)
Study, method of (50)
Sun, planet (56)
Sun spots, significance (56)
Sun spots, shapes of (56)
Sun spots, effects of (56)
Supratiñöhä, metre, 5s (57)
Syllables, defined (57)
Times, auspicious (56)
Times, inauspicious (56)
Tithis (56)
Transits (55)
Travel, time for (56)
Triñöubh, metre, 11s (57)
Uktä, metre, 1s (57)
Uñëik, metre, 7s (57)
Upagraha (56)
Upanayana (56)
Utkåti, metre, 26s (57)
Veda, mouth of (grammar) (52)
Vedäìgas, known by Çuka (50)
Vedäìgas, six, listed (50)
Vedas, recitation of (60)
Vedas (50)
Venus, movements of (56)
Venus (56)
Verbal  formation, Vedic (53)
Vidhåti, metre, 19s (57)
Vikåti, metre, 23s (57)
Vivähapraçna (56)
Vyäkaraëa, 3rd vedäìga (52)
Vyäsadeva (60)
Years, on diff. planets (56)
Years, names of (56)
Yoga system (46)

Bhäradväja-Bhågu 1-42-7
Evolution, of universe (42)
Creation, process of (42)
Viñëu, source of everything (42)
Viñëu, w/o beginning or end (42)
Transmigration, of soul (42)
Brahmä, relation to Näräyaë (42)
Attributes, of Lord (42)
Realization of the Lord (42)
Vedas, glorify the Lord (42)
Sky,magnitude of (42)
Wind (42)
Earth, surface of (42)
Brahmä, called first born? (42)
Brahmä, how didhe create (42)
Elements, produced, how (42)
Varëas & Äçramas (43)
Duties, Varëas & Äçramas (43)
Soul, nature of (43)
Supersoul, nature of (43)
Reinkarnation, mechanism (43)
Sleep, who is the seer, in (43)
Brähmaëa, how to become a (43)
Dharma, charcteristics of (43)
Meditation (44)
Yoga (44)
Senses (44)
Intelligence (44)
Modes of nature (44)
Guëas, three (44)

Janaka-Païcaçikha 1-45-50
Mokña-dharma (45)
Motivation, to act religiously (45)

Khäëòikya-Keçidhvaja 1-46-49
Brahman realization (46)
Yoga-sütra (47)
Mind, control of (47)
Truth, beyond words (47)

Jaòa Bharata-Rahügaëa 1-48-55
Insults, how to tolerate (48)
Tolerance (48)
Monism (49)
Illusion, how to destroy it (49)
Soul, position of (49)

Åbhu-Nidägha 1-49-51
Mind, creates dualities (49)
Dualities, in the mind (49)
Differentiation, error of (49)
Viñëu, one with the universe (49)

Çukadeva-Janaka 1-59-8
Pravåtti-märga (59)
Nivåtti-märga (59)
Mokña (59)

Çukadeva-Sanatkumära 1-60-41
Winds & Vedas, connection (60)
Air, five types of (60)
Salvation (60)
Dualities & Oneness (60)
Phases of life(61)
Miseries of life (61)
Dualities, give up (61)

Çukadvea-Näräyaëa 1-62-50
Prayer by Çukadeva (62)
Vyäsadeva, dear to the Lord (62)

	The third päda of the Närada-Puräëa shows even less variety in terms of dialogues and speakers, than the foregoing section. In the third päda we find Sanatkumära as the main speaker. He delivers 4,360 verses to Ëärada. Närada presented only fourteen çlokas  of questions, thus the ratio here is 1/ 311. This section is dedicated to tantra. The topics discussed here, are not always really sattvik. In fact, there is a number of rather black tantric procedures, like how to destroy your enemy by some magic, or how gain control over a woman one wants to enjoy. The major portion of this section deals with the worship of different demigods, but different forms of the Lord are also mentioned, including Rädhä and Kåñëa. The gäyatré-mantra for each personality is given, items that should be offered and the method of worship, are explained in all detail. Since there are practically no dialogues in this section, a short chapter by chapter summary will be given in the table below. For those who might be interested to get a little closer view on the sonetimes really odd tantric presrciptions, we have included a detailed chapter summary in the appendix.

Topics in Sanatkumära-Närada Dialogue
Chapter 63, 124 verses
Viñëu worship
Mantras
Rituals
Deities, for Vaiñëavas
Conditionings, bodies
Çiva, as Lord of jévas

Chapter 64, 70 verses
dékñä, initiation into chanting
mantras, chanting of
mantras-
	-masculine mantras
	-feminine mantras
	-neuter mantras
	-ägneya mantras
	-saumya mantras
	-defective mantras
	-ineffective mantras
	-correcting mantras
chanting, sitting posture for
äcärya, qualifications of
disciple, qualifications of

Chapter 65, 97 verses
mantras-
	-purification of
	-repeating in proper way
	-rousing kuëòaliëé by
	-repeating 26,100 times
kuëòaliëé-
	-rousing by japa
	-raising, cakra to cakra
disciple, examination of
maëòala, with 16 fields
square cakra, maëòala
japa, how to chant

Chapter 66, 150 verses
prayers, daily
deity worship
morning procedures
äcamana
vaiñëava sandhya
nyäsa
chanting, names of deities

Chapter 67, 140 verses
püjä
püjä for demigods
püjä for Viñëu
mental püjä
püjä by japa
flowers, offerable
flowers, unofferable

Chapter 68, 94 verses
Gaëeça, worship of
Gaëeça mantras
Gaëeça-müla-gäyatré
food for offering
mudräs

Chapter 69, 139 verses
Sun, worship of
Moon, worship of
Planets, worship of
mantras for planets
gäyatré for Mars

Chapter 70, 202 verses
Viñëu, worship of
mantras for Viñëu worship
Incarnations of Viñëu
mantras for Incarnations
Varähadeva
Näräyaëa
Puruñottama
Çrékara
gäyatré mantras
japa
Jagannätha
weapons, of Deities
worship of weapons
mantras for weapons
mudras for weapons

Chapter 71,228 verses
Nåsiàhadeva, worship of
nåsiàha-gäyatré
mantras
mudras
offerings
Nåsiàhadeva, forms of
Nåsiàhadeva, meditation on

Chapter 72, 54 verses
Vämanadeva, worship of
Hayagréva, worship of
mantras
procedures

Chapter 73, 177 verses
Rämacandra, worship of
Sudarçan-mantra
Rämacandra mantra
Lakñmaëa mantra
Bharata mantra
Çatrughna mantra
Sétä mantra

Chapter 74, 202 verses
Hanumän, worship of
Hanumän mantras
Hanumän gäyatré
mantra for prisoner release

Chapter 75, 106 verses
Lamp, offering to Hanumän
mantras

Chapter 76, 116 verses
Kärttavéryärjuna, worship of
Sudarçana Cakra, incarnation
mantras
müla mantras
mula-béja-mantras
gäyatré mantra
püjä
püjä-yantra, mystical diagram
Lamp, offering of
Lamp, interpretation of burning

Chapter 77, 137 verses
Kärttavérya-kavaca
Hanumän-kavaca
Mind, fixing on form of deity
Kärttavérya, 108 names of
Kavaca, benefits of chanting

Chapter 78, 52 verses
Hanumän-kavaca
Räma gave the Hanumän-kavaca
Kavaca, a secret
Räma, Hanumän as His child

Chapter 79, 358 verses
Hanumän, story of
Räma, told story of Hanumän
Viñëu
Çiva
Hanumän, previous birth of
Hanumän, prayer to Lord Çiva
Sages, prayer to Lord Çiva

Chapter 80, 297 verses
mantras and maëòalas
Kåñëa, meditation on
Kåñëa, meditation on pastimes
yantras
gopäla-yantra
Kåñëa-gäyatré
Käma-gäyatré
Räsa dance, meditation on
Siddhis, eight, attained
Viñëu, abode, attained

Chapter 81, 152 verses
Kåñëa, worship of
Mantras, for Kåñëa worship
Meditation on Kåñëa's form
Poison, counteracted

Chapter 82, 215 verses
Närada, in a previous birth
Särasvata-kalpa
Närada, as son of Kaçyapa
Kalpa, the 25th
Rädhä and Kåñëa, secret of
Siddha and sädhya
Mantras
Meditation, as being a gopé
Offenses in worship
Ten offenses
Hari & Hara, no difference
Rädhä and Kåñëa. 1k names of

 Chapter 83, 186 verses
Çakti, worship of
Çakti, mantras of
Çiva
Rädhä, as origin of everything
Rädhä, residing etern. in Goloka
Mahälakñmé
Dürgä
Müla-prakåti
Mantras
Method of worship
Kavaca mantra
Sävitré-Païjara, kavaca
Sävitré, 108 names of

Chapter 84, 110 verses
Bhuvaneçvaré, worship of
Mahälakñmé, worship of
Mahäsarasvaté, worship of
Çakti worship
Worship, results of, listed

Chapter 85, 144 verses
Mahäkälé, worship of
Tärä, worship of
püjä
yantra
mantra
nyäsa

Chapter 86, 115 verses
Bälä, worship of
Annapürëä, worship of
Çiva, as the original guru
mantra, yantra, püjä, nyäsa
Bagalämukhé, mantra of
Enemies, stun their movements
Invisible, how to become
Charging, yantra with mantra

Chapter 87, 170 verses
Durgä, as mother of the universe
Worship of Durgä's incarnations
yantra, mantra, nyäsa and tantra

Chapter 88, 258 verses
Nitya-deities, sixteen
Rädhä, expansions of
Meditation, instructions on
mantra, japa, yantra and nyäsa

Chapter 89, 179 verses
Lalitä, as Supreme Goddess
Guru, worship of, first
Prayer to the guru
Çiva, as the original form of guru
Prayer to the Goddess or Çakti
Lalitä-kavaca
Kavaca, benefits of

Chapter 90, 238 verses
Japa, fixed amounts of repetition
Mantras, benefits of japa
Homas, flowers to be offered in
Women, how to enjoy, by tantra

Chapter 91, 236 verses
Çiva, mantras of
Çiva, worship of
yantra, mantras, nyäsa and tantra
Prayer to Lord Çiva
Mantras, preferred ones

	The fourth päda of the Närada-Purëa deals with two main issues. In the first eighteen chapters, that is chapter 92 through 109, Sanätana quotes a dialogue bewteen Lord Brahmä and Maréci. In this dialogue Lord Brahmä gives a summary of the eighteen Mahä-Puräëas. Each Puräëa is treated in a separate chapter. A literature of 400,000 verses is thus presented in no more than 566 çlokas. In the table below, you find a chart which shows the main characteristics of the eighteen Mahä-Puräëas. The following page  gives a concise overview of the entire fourth päda. The second issue dealt with in the fourth päda, is a description of vratas and ceremonies or festivals, that should be observed on particular days of the lunar calendar.

	In the appendix you will also find an alphbetical index of all names, places, procedures, dynasties and general topics, which were mentioned in the puräëa summary of the fourth päda. There are more than two thousand entries, each followed by the initials of the respective puräëa, as well as the section where it occurs. We have also prepared two charts, one for the Viñëu-Puräëa and one for the Kürma-Puräëa, both compiled exclusively from data shown in the Närada-Puräëa's fourth päda. These charts show the essential structure and give an outline of the contents of the two books. They can be compared with the summaries of the Viñëu and Kürma Puräëas, that have been presented by Aja Prabhu.

The Eighteen Mahä-Puräëas

Puräëa | Count | Parts | First Dialogue | | Second Dialogue | | Goal | Kalpa
Brahma | 10,000 | 2 | Vyäsadeva | | | | Brahmä |
Padma | 55,000 | 5 | Pulastya | Bhéñma | Süta | Çaunaka | Viñëu |
Viñëu | 23,000 | 7 | Paräçara | Maitreya | Süta | Çaunaka | Viñëu | Väräha
Väyu | 24,000 | 2 | Väyu | | | | Rudra | Çveta
Bhägavata | 18,000 | 12 | Süta | Çaunaka | Çukadeva | Parékñit | Kåñëa |
Näradéya | 25,000 | 5 | Kumäras | Närada | Vasiñöha | Mändhätä | Viñëu | Båhat
Märkaëòeya | 9,000 | | Märkaëòeya | Jaimini | Birds | Jaimini | Çiva |
Agni | 15,000 | | Agni | Vasiñöha | | | Heaven | Éçäna
Bhaviñya | 14,000 | 5 | Süta | Çaunaka | | | Brahmä | Aghora
Brahma Vai. | 18,000 | 4 | Süta | Çaunaka | Sävarëa | Närada | Brahmä | Rathantara
Liìga | 11,000 | 2 | Sanatkumära | Nandéña | | | Çiva | Agni
Väräha | 24,000 | 2 | Varäha | Bhümé | | | Viñëu | Mänasa
Skanda | 81,000 | 7 | | | | | Çiva | Tatpuruña
Vämana | 10,000 | 2 | Pulastya | Närada | | | Viñëu | Kürma
Kürma | 17,000 | 4 | Kürma | Sages | Lakñmé | Indradyumna | | Lakñmé
Matsya | 14,000 | | Matsya | Manu | | | Viñëu | 7 Kalpas
Garuòa | 19,000 | 2 | Viñëu | Garuòa | | | Heaven | Tärkñya
Brahmäëòa | 12,000 | 4 | | | | | Brahman | Ädi
Table 4: The eighteen Mahä-Puräëas

	The uttara-bhäga, or second part of the Närada-Puräëa, is in no way connected to the story or setting shown in the first part. Vasiñöha and King Mändhätä present the main dialogue. The first section of the uttara-bhäga is called Rukmäìgada-carita and deals with the activities of king Rukmäìgada. The story is told by Vasiñöha to Mändhätä in thirty-seven chapters. The essence of this narrative is a glorification of the Ekädaçé-vrata. The character of king Rukmäìgada can be best compared with the famous king Hariçcandra. Rukmäìgada, who was the ruler of the world, had all the people in his kingdom striktly follow the Ekädaçé-vrata. Those who would not follow, would be punished. The story is very complex and full of dramatic elements. There are five levels of dialogue. For a detailed account of the different persons see the respective chart in the appendix.

	Essentially, what happens in the story is, Yamaräja goes out of business, because everybody in the kingdom, (the whole world), follows ekädaçé. The people go all back to Godhead. So Yamaräja goes to Lord Brahmä and complains. He is practically crying. Lord Brahmä then creates Mohiné, the enchantress, who is instructed to somehow or other, make king Rukmäìgada deviate from his vowed observance of ekädaçé fasting. As the story goes, she almost succeedes, but Rukmäìgada, who had become very attached to that most beautiful woman, is always supported by his very chaste and intelligent wife Sandhyävalé and by his wonderful son Dharmäìgada.

	At the end these three go back to Lord Viñëu's world, and Mohiné is burned to ashes, simply being sprinkled with a few drops of water by Vasu, Rukmäìgada's brähmaëa priest, who just then happened to return from his twelve year praëayama practice under water. It is hardly possible to properly present this narration in just a few words. We have therefore provided a chapter by chapter summary in the appendix. The story also offers the background to the meaning of a day  commonly known as "Mohiné-Ekädaçé," in our Vaiñëava calendar.
 
	The last section of the uttara-bhäga is called tértha-yäträ. It connects to the previous part, where in the end it had been explained, how the demigods pacified the extremely angry and dangerous brähmaëa Vasu. Vasu had then agreed to restore Mohiné's physical body, and after that she is being instructed by him about the glories of the holy places. For each holy place a short narration is given, showing how it came that the place was turned into a pilgrimage site. Procedures, observances and types of worship, that should be performed at each holy place, are also named. The first six chapters deal exclusively with the greatness of the Gaìgä. The holy places mentioned there are all situated along the Gaìga. Most of them are Çivaite centres.  Some places are discussed in more than one chapter. In those cases a pilgrim's journey to the place is described in all detail. It is described, where he should go first, which temple he should visit and which prayer he should recite. It is also explained what kind of vows he should accept, to get the greatest benefit from his tour.  The greatness of the Gaìgä is described in six chapters. Thereafter Gayä is described in four chapters. Then follows a description of Käçé in four chapters. Puruñottama, Jagannätha Puri, is described in all detail, in ten chapters. The story of Mahäräja Indradyumna and how he came to install Lord Jagannätha, is nicely described. Jagannätha Puri is thus described in much more detail than all other places. The final chapters deal with Mathurä and Våndävana. The brähmaëa Vasu attains the mercy of Kåñëa, who grants him a benediction, after Vasu had performed penances in Våndävana for five thousand years. Vasu asked Lord Kåñëa, to allow him to stay in Våndävana forever. He is said to still be there, even today. Then Närada visits Vasu in Våndävana and Vasu asks him about the future activities of the Lord. Närada then explains how he went to Lord Çiva, who related to him the future activities of the Lord, as he had heard them from mother Surabhi. What follows is an account of Kåñëas pastimes in Våndävana, summarized in twenty verses.  After this, in chapter eighty-two, the phalaçruti  is given, with a list of benefits one gets from hearing or reciting the Närada-Puräëa. In the following we will give an alphabetical list of major térthas mentioned by Vasu in his dialogue with Mohiné.

Térthas in Uttarabhäga Tértha-yäträ Section

Adititértha (40)
Avanti (78)
Badarikäçrama (67)
Bilvaka (40)
Campaka (40)
Çiloccaya (40)
Dakñprayäga (40)
Gaëòaka (40)
Gaëòaké river (40)
Gaìgä (38)
Gaìgä (39)
Gaìgä (40)
Gaìgädvära (40)
Gayä (44)
Gokarëa (74)
Haridvära (66)
Indräëé Tértha (40)
Jagannätha Puri (52)
Jahnuhrada (40)
Käçé (40)
Käçé (48)
Kalaça (40)
Kämäkñä (69)
Kämodä (68)
Kanakhala (40)
Kubjä (40)
Kuçävarta (40)
Kurukñetra (40)
Kurukñetra (64)
Lakñmaëäcala (75)
Maëikarëika (40)
Mänasa lake (40)
Mathura (79)
Narmadä river (77)
Nélaparvata (40)
Pavitra (40)
Prabhäsa (70)
Pradyumna Tértha (40)
Prayäga (40)
Prayäga (63)
Puñkara (71)
Puruñottama (52)
Rämatértha (40)
Saräyu river (40)
Setu (76)
Snätaka (40)
Somadvépa (40)
Somatértha (40)
Tryambakeçvara (73)
Vaikuëöha (40)
Våndävana (80)
Väräëasé (40)
Veëéräjya (40)
Vindhya (40)