Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 70

The Description of the Caturdaśī Vrata Observed throughout the Twelve Months

Devanagari script

स्वयंभुवादिकं लिंगं पार्थिवं वा समाहितः । गंधाद्यैरुपचारैश्च सांबुबिल्वदलादिभिः ॥ ७० ॥

Transliteration

svayaṃbhuvādikaṃ liṃgaṃ pārthivaṃ vā samāhitaḥ | gaṃdhādyairupacāraiśca sāṃbubilvadalādibhiḥ || 70 ||

Translation

بذهنٍ مجموعٍ في السَّمادهي، ينبغي أن يُعبَد اللِّينغا المتجلّي بذاته (svayambhū) وما شابهه، أو لِينغا من طين؛ مع تقديم العطور وسائر الأوباجارا (upacāra)، ومع أوراق البِلفا وما يماثلها مُبلَّلةً بالماء.

Word by Word

• स्वयंभुव-आदिकम्: beginning with Svayambhu (Brahmā) etc.
• स्वयंभुव-आदिकम्: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: स्वयंभुव + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1/2), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (qualifier)

• लिङ्गम्: liṅga (Śiva-emblem)
• लिङ्गम्: कर्म (Karma/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; कर्मपदम्

• पार्थिवम्: made of earth
• पार्थिवम्: विशेषण (Adjectival modifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पार्थिव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2), एकवचन; विशेषणम् (लिङ्गम् इति)

• वा: or
• वा: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक-निपात (particle of alternative)

• समाहितः: being composed/collected (in mind)
• समाहितः: कर्ता (Karta/subject, implied practitioner)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-आ-धा (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle); पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1), एकवचन; ‘(सः) समाहितः’ = एकाग्रः/समाधिस्थः

• गन्ध-आद्यैः: with perfumes etc.
• गन्ध-आद्यैः: करण (Karaṇa/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गन्ध + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; करणम्

• उपचारैः: with offerings/services
• उपचारैः: करण (Karaṇa/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपचार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; करणम्

• च: and
• च: सम्बन्ध/निपात (Conjunction)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयार्थक-निपात (conjunction)

• स-अम्बु-बिल्व-दल-आदिभिः: with water, bilva leaves, etc.
• स-अम्बु-बिल्व-दल-आदिभिः: करण (Karaṇa/instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अम्बु + बिल्व + दल + आदि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3), बहुवचन; ‘स’ उपसर्गसदृशः = सहित (with); करणम्

Speaker

Narada (teaching in a dialogue context traditionally framed with the Sanatkumara brothers)

Vrata Kalpa

Vrata: none

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhakti

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Linga
• Bilva

FAQs

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

It teaches that worship becomes effective when performed with mental steadiness (samāhita) and with proper upacāras—honoring the liṅga through reverent, tangible offerings like fragrance and bilva leaves.

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

Bhakti is expressed here as attentive service (upacāra) offered with concentration—showing devotion through respectful ritual care, whether the liṅga is self-manifest or ritually fashioned.

What practical Vedic knowledge (Vedanga) is highlighted here?

Ritual procedure and correct worship materials are emphasized—applied dharma and kalpa-style practice (proper upacāras, sanctioned leaves like bilva, and mindful performance).